Everton boss Sean Dyche claims “everyone is confused” by the current interpretation of the handball rule.
The Toffees saw a controversial penalty awarded against them during last night’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City when Amadou Onana was adjudged to have handled Nathan Ake’s shot in the area.
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It seemed harsh, particularly when compared to other non-decisions recently, and Dyche says he is baffled by the ruling.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolves, he said: “The one last night, everyone is confused by handball. If that’s a penalty, Onana should be a goalkeeper, he must have some reflexes.
“I went in and spoke to the officials but they’re working to the law. It’s a bizarre law, most don’t understand it. Everyone is frustrated by it.
“If it’s that confusing, someone has to get hold of it. It used to be deemed a deliberate handball, they were certainly as right as they are now.”
Last night’s defeat was Everton’s second on the spin but Dyche is confident his side are continuing to move in the right direction, despite their 10-point penalty for breaching financial rules.
He added: “Speaking relatively to what I walked into, there has been a shift forward. Everyone knows that, the players and the staff, I’ve been pleased with that but the league table doesn’t suggest that because of the points deduction.
“If the table did have the 10 points on it, I think everyone would agree there’s been a lot of work done by so many and a big shift.
“The 10 points sways it, generally speaking a lot learned and a lot to do.”
Next up is a Wolves side who thrashed Brentford 4-1 last night.
“They’ve varied their play, [and are] doing a good job,” said Dyche. “When Gary [O’Neil] came in there was talk of players leaving but he seems to have calmed it.
“They’ve been a good outfit. Like anything, the strength of the Premier League says you have to be on top of performances – we have been.
“We have to hope we get bodies back but players coming in are giving good performances.”
Everton will be without Idrissa Gana Gueye and Ashley Young at Molineux while Abdoulaye Doucoure is “touch and go”, according to Dyche.
