Taiwo Awoniyi: Why Lampard hit out at officials in Coventry 1-3 loss to Everton

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi was unable to find the back of the net against Everton last night, but that was the least of Frank Lampard’s worries at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The 29-year-old was brought down by Vitalii Mykolenko during a second-half attack, but referee Stuart Attwell did not award a penalty. VAR subsequently reviewed the incident and ruled that the contact occurred outside the penalty area.

Lampard disagreed with that interpretation, insisting that Awoniyi’s position when the foul occurred meant Coventry should have been awarded a spot-kick.

The Coventry manager also questioned two other decisions, including an apparent hair pull by Everton captain James Tarkowski and a handball appeal against Thierno Barry.

Why Lampard believed Taiwo Awoniyi deserved a penalty

The incident involving Awoniyi came three minutes after the interval, with the striker driving towards Everton’s penalty area before Mykolenko made contact from behind.

Although VAR confirmed that there was contact, the officials concluded that the foul happened outside the box. Lampard, however, argued that the Nigerian’s foot was entering the penalty area and his knee was on the line.

“I thought the one on Taiwo [Awoniyi] running through – it’s a clear foul that the referee doesn’t give in-game. I can’t believe that because it’s clear. Maybe he waited for VAR because it was on the borderline,” the former England midfielder told Sky Sports.

“But as I see it, Taiwo’s foot is entering the box, and his knee and the back of his knee is on the line of the box, which is a penalty.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp also questioned the decision, describing it as a definite penalty and arguing that Awoniyi’s foot was on the line.

Tarkowski hair pull and Barry handball add to Lampard’s frustration

Awoniyi’s appeal was not the only incident that angered Lampard. Towards the end of the first half, James Tarkowski pulled Coventry midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi’s hair while competing for a high ball inside Everton’s penalty box. VAR checked the incident but did not recommend a penalty or disciplinary action.

Tarkowski escaped a red-card offence unscathed, keeping his rare record of never getting sent off in a Premier League game intact, although he’s received 74 yellow cards.

Lampard argued that the defender’s action prevented Yirenkyi from challenging for the ball properly.

He also questioned Barry’s second goal, claiming the Everton striker used his hand during the move. VAR reviewed the incident but upheld the goal, with official Timothy Wood ruling that the ball had struck Barry’s side rather than his hand.

The former Chelsea manager was very unhappy with the way the decisions were handled.

“When big decisions change games, they absolutely do. It’s disappointing. VAR is there for that, and it didn’t do its job.”

“I can’t sit here and say I know everything and they should give all three of them, if one or two of them don’t go our way, but they would clearly change the game,” the former England captain added.

Everton recover as Coventry rue missed opportunities

Coventry took the lead through Yann Gboho in the 52nd minute, but Everton responded through two Thierno Barry goals before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall completed the comeback in the 81st minute.

The result left Lampard’s side frustrated, especially after the three contentious decisions, while Everton moved up to fifth in the Premier League table.

For Awoniyi, the incident was a frustrating moment in a defeat that could have unfolded differently had Coventry received the penalty their manager believed they deserved.