Everton secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Thierno Barry’s deflected effort proving enough to give David Moyes’ side all three points.
The result extends Everton’s unbeaten beginning to the season and moves them up to fifth place in the Premier League table, although the Toffees were left frustrated after VAR ruled out what appeared to be a perfectly good second goal for Barry.
Everton took the lead in the 11th minute in fortunate circumstances. James Tarkowski’s long-range effort struck Barry on its way towards goal, changing direction and leaving Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton completely wrong-footed.
The hosts had opportunities to extend their advantage, but their finishing repeatedly let them down. Everton registered 21 attempts during the match but managed just two efforts on target.
Barry thought he had doubled Everton’s advantage in the second half when he met Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s dangerous corner with a well-directed header. However, VAR intervened and asked the referee to review the incident after Brennan Johnson was judged to have interfered with the goalkeeper from an offside position.
The goal was subsequently disallowed, despite Johnson being nowhere near the ball. The decision immediately sparked debate, with former England international Sue Smith questioning whether the Everton forward had genuinely affected the goalkeeper’s ability to make a save.
The decision came only a week after the controversy surrounding VAR during the Manchester derby, making the latest intervention another talking point surrounding Premier League officiating.
Everton continued to create chances but could not find a second goal. Johnson fired wide early on, while Dewsbury-Hall missed a golden opportunity late in the game when he headed Tyler Dibling’s excellent cross wide despite being unmarked.
Ipswich struggled to turn their possession and chances into a genuine threat. Leif Davis missed a good opportunity at the back post, while Jordan Pickford was called upon to deny Emersonn with a save at his near post.
The visitors’ task became even harder in the 67th minute when Abdul Fatawu was shown a second yellow card for simulation. He had already been booked for stopping an Everton counter-attack earlier in the match.
Despite playing with 10 men, Ipswich continued to compete and pushed Everton late on, but Gary O’Neil’s side could not find the equaliser.
Moyes questions VAR consistency
Everton manager David Moyes admitted he was unsure whether the disallowed goal should have been overturned.
Moyes acknowledged that Johnson was in an offside position but questioned whether he had genuinely interfered with the goalkeeper’s ability to save Barry’s header.
The Everton boss also expressed doubts about whether similar incidents would receive consistent treatment throughout the season.
Moyes was pleased with the result but admitted his team should have been more clinical, particularly after Ipswich were reduced to 10 men.
He said Everton had created enough opportunities to win more comfortably but criticised their return of just two shots on target from 21 attempts.
O’Neil frustrated by finishing
Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil felt his team deserved more from the game and identified their lack of quality in the final third as the main reason they left empty-handed.
The manager felt Ipswich regularly reached promising positions but failed to produce the right final pass or make the correct decision.
O’Neil also discussed Fatawu’s dismissal, admitting he understood why the referee gave the second yellow card. He said the youngster needs to be more careful after already being booked.
Despite the defeat and playing the final stages with 10 men, O’Neil praised his players for their response and competitiveness.
Match highlights
11 mins – GOAL: Tarkowski’s long-range effort takes a fortunate deflection off Barry and beats Walton to put Everton ahead.
9 mins – SAVE: Pickford keeps out Emersonn at his near post after Dewsbury-Hall gives the ball away.
33 mins – CHANCE: Maitland-Niles finds Barry with a clever cross, but the striker cannot direct his effort on target.
38 mins – MISS: Davis finds himself unmarked at the far post but pokes Fatawu’s cross wide.
58 mins – VAR: Barry’s header is ruled out after Johnson is deemed to have interfered with Walton’s line of sight while offside.
67 mins – RED CARD: Fatawu receives a second yellow for simulation and is sent off.
76 mins – MISS: Dewsbury-Hall wastes another excellent opportunity, heading Dibling’s cross wide from close range.
Everton ultimately held on for the victory, moving to fifth in the Premier League with nine points from their opening five matches, while Ipswich remain 11th with six points.