Dominic Calvert-Lewin red card overturned after Everton appeal.

Even if it seems like Everton has been the target of judgments made against them recently, particularly by the football authorities, common sense has won out in at least one instance.

The three-match ban that followed Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s red card had been revoked as a result of the club’s FA appeal.

The striker was sent off in the 0-0 draw away at Crystal Palace in their FA Cup Third Round clash last Thursday following what looked like an inconsequential tackle on Nathaniel Clyne. Initially on-pitch referee Chris Kavanagh had indicated for play to continue with Calvert-Lewin winning the ball and getting a shot off on goal.

But Craig Pawson, the VAR manager, who is starting to get a bad reputation for his anti-Everton views, got in touch with Kavanagh to have the tackle reviewed on the pitchside monitor.

Multiple replays and slow-motion angles later, Kavanagh decided to give DCL a straightened card ending his participation in the fixture. The game was still scoreless at that point, but the Blues then had to endure a torrid quarter of an hour or so and had to settle for a replay in a fixture they had looked like winning.

The Blues’ already crowded schedule will only get worse with another game to play, but Sean Dyche will be happy that his already lean team won’t have to play three more games without one of their main players. This week marks the Blues’ return to play, starting at home against the formidable Aston Villa.

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