'Inexplicable' - McKenna fumes after controversial incident in Everton win v Ipswich

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been left enraged by an “inexplicable” incident in the clash between Everton and the Tractor Boys.

Sean Dyche’s side returned from the international break with three points as they ran out 2-0 winners at Portman Road on Saturday (19 October) thanks to goals from Iliman Ndiaye and Michael Keane.

The home side had been awarded a penalty when Dwight McNeil was adjudged to have fouled Jack Clarke in the first half, but Michael Oliver’s decision was overturned by VAR much to McKenna’s frustration.

As quoted by the Ipswich Star on Saturday (19 October) he said: “I find it inexplicable really how it can be overruled.

“At the time it looked like a penalty. Of course I’m saying that from an Ipswich lens, but Jack dribbled past a couple of players, and is about to shoot, there’s every chance it’s a goal and Dwight McNeil lunges across the line of the ball, right when he’s on his back swing.

“Of course, you can say then that it’s Jack’s foot that strikes Dwight McNeil, but Dwight McNeil lunges across the line of the ball in the penalty area which I don’t think you can do as a defender.

“He hasn’t touched the ball, he’s not even made an attempt to play the ball and he’s stopped Jack taking his shot, so I think it’s a penalty.

“I understand how it’s one that you could possibly debate, but what I can’t understand is that from all the directives we’ve had and everything I’ve experienced so far unless it’s a clear and obvious error then it won’t be reviewed and the referee’s decision on field will stand.

“That’s for good reason because the referee has the best view and he can also feel the action at full speed. So I think it’s a really poor decision for that to be identified as a clear and obvious error.

“I’ve spoken to Michael downstairs, we had a respectful conversation and, to be honest, he saw it how I saw it. We both agreed that Dwight McNeil stepped across the line of the ball as Jack Clarke’s about to shoot.

“But he said when you’re getting information fed into your ear then it’s difficult to go against that. I don’t think he should have been put into that position by the VAR.”

Should Ipswich have had a penalty v Everton at Portman Road?

Whether or not Ipswich feel they should have had a penalty is almost by the by as it is about time Everton had a decision go their way after a string of unlucky incidents so far this season.

The Toffees were on the wrong end of a couple of calls against Newcastle United before the international break and Dyche was clearly growing exhausted of having to talk about referees week in and week out.

While McNeil does make contact, it seems as though Clarke kicks his leg. McKenna and apparently Oliver will argue that still impeded the Tractor Boys winger, but from a Blues perspective, McNeil was well within his rights to challenge for the ball.

Luckily, the Toffees took full advantage of their bit of luck and ran away with all three points to put a gap between them and the bottom three.

Who knows just how big that win could prove to be in this season’s relegation battle?

In other Everton news, one Ipswich Town player has been slammed for a “shambolic” moment in the clash with the Toffees

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