Liverpool--Burnley manager Sean Dyche believes his struggling team are being punished for not pressuring referees as they attempt to stay in the Premier League.
Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Everton, courtesy of a first-half goal from Belgium international Kevin Mirallas, left Burnley bottom of the table with games running out in their survival bid.
It was a controversial reverse, with Burnley midfielder Ashley Barnes sent off for a second bookable offence just before half-time, and Mirallas fortunate to escape a similar fate following a studs-up challenge on George Boyd after the restart.
Everton were also awarded an early penalty, with Ross Barkley's spot-kick saved by Tom Heaton, even though replays clearly showed David Jones's foul on Aaron Lennon was well outside the area.
Dyche also correctly pointed out that his team might have been awarded a first-half penalty of their own at Goodison Park after Scott Arfield stayed upright despite being tripped just inside the Everton area.
"Ashley gives everything for the team and has nothing to apologise for but it was just two silly challenges, nothing malicious," said Dyche. "At least the ref got that one right, so that was good.
"I was interested in the view he had of their penalty because it was well outside the area and then Scott Arfield was dancing around the edge of their box and was tripped. If he had gone down, it would have been a penalty, but he stayed on his feet."
AFP
