EVERTON boss Sean Dyche expressed his frustration at Everton not being awarded a penalty during their defeat to Cherries, insisting: “We’re all scratching our heads about VAR.”

With the game level at 0-0, Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin went over in the area after being clipped by Tyler Adams.

It was the same 18-yard box the USA international had gone to ground himself in the first half, under a challenge from Jarrad Branthwaite.

On both occasions, referee Sam Barrott waved away the claims, with video assistant referee Michael Oliver not getting involved.

Everton went on to lose the game 2-1, a Beto strike sandwiched in between a Dominic Solanke header and late Seamus Coleman own goal.

Reflecting on the defeat, Toffees boss Dyche said: “Obviously frustrated and disappointed with the dying embers of the game.

“For such a simple moment we get confused, miscommunication and they get a goal out of nothing, really.

“I didn’t think in the second half we ever looked in too much trouble, to be honest, without looking an amazing threat ourselves.

“But we found a goal, and I’m pleased with that, because it’s an ugly goal.

“I spoke to the group and said it can’t always be a perfect goal. Sometimes it has to be a fight scene or a toe or a knee or whatever you need to do, which we did.

“We should go away with a point, quite obviously. But we can’t make mistakes like that.”

Bournemouth Echo: Cherries defeated Everton 2-1 at Vitality Stadium

He added: “I don’t think it was helpful during the game, how we don’t get a penalty for a foul on Calvert-Lewin. I think that is what VAR is meant to do.

“I think we’re all scratching our heads about VAR this season. I don’t know how it’s seemingly got into the situation it’s got into.

“But it can’t just be me, I think everyone is talking about why is that not a penalty and another one is?

“I’ve seen enough penalties given this season where people say ‘well, there was contact’ where it’s boot end on boot end and you think how is that really contact?

“But that is actually contact. A proper kick in the shins. How is that not given? They will give me some weird interpretation of it I’m sure.”

Speaking in his role as pundit on BBC’s Match of the Day, former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock concurred.

He said: “In this position, why would Calvert-Lewin go down? He’s just got beyond Tyler Adams, who clips him.

“That’s enough, at the speed the players are moving. That’s a penalty. Calvert-Lewin is very, very unlucky.”

Ex-Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown added: “Unbelievable decision. That’s ridiculous.”

Asked for his take on Everton’s penalty claims, Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola said: “I haven’t seen the replays. But I think, looking live, it is the kind of penalty (shout) like the same we have in the first half, on Tyler Adams.

“There is contact, yes. To call a penalty? I don’t know.”