Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the English Premier League when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, dominating possession in an entertaining contest but unable to break down a stubborn home side.
Villa move to 43 points from 21 games, level with second-placed Manchester City, but two behind league leaders Liverpool. Both those clubs have played a game fewer. Everton are now a point clear of the relegation zone with 17 from their 21 games.
The visitors had several chances to open the scoring, but the best opportunity in the game fell to Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he raced clear one-on-one with Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, but had his effort saved.
Both sides had goals correctly chalked off by the Video Assistant Referee for offside and Everton will be the happier with the point, while Villa manager Unai Emery may well view it as a missed opportunity and two dropped.
Villa thought they had the lead when Alex Moreno’s superb strike from outside the box arrowed into the bottom corner, but it was chalked off by the VAR for an offside in the build-up.
It took more than three minutes to make the decision, during which time both sets of supporters chanted in unison their displeasure at the use of the VAR system.
Leon Bailey forced a superb low save from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a shot from eight yards that was arrowing into the bottom corner, before the home side should have been in front.
Calvert-Lewin raced clear, but Argentine World Cup winner Martinez made a superb stop and moments later saved again from James Garner, diving low to his left.
Fulham coach Marco Silva decried a decision not to send off Chelsea's Malo Gusto in his side's 1-0 defeat by their west London rivals on Saturday.
Referee Anthony Taylor showed Gusto a yellow card for his foul on former Chelsea winger Willian in the 38th minute, even though the France defender carried through after winning the ball and landed his boot on the Brazilian's ankle.
"In the league, in 10 moments like that one, nine have been a red card," Silva told reporters.
The Portuguese coach said he thought it was a clear mistake by the VAR team not to advise Taylor to reconsider his decision.
Pep praises youngster
Newcastle: Pep Guardiola is familiar with Kevin De Bruyne's magic so was perhaps not surprised to see the Belgian inspire Manchester City to a 3-2 win at Newcastle United on Saturday and lift his side two points behind English Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Spaniard, however, was not just waxing lyrical about the returning Belgian after a thrilling victory, he had warm words for Norwegian youngster Oscar Bobb whose goal from De Bruyne's assist secured the points in stoppage time.
Bobb's first league goal completed a thrilling comeback for City, who had taken the lead through Bernardo Silva but then shipped two goals to a fired-up hosts.
De Bruyne came off the bench in the 69th minute for his first league action since being injured on the opening day of the season and equalised five minutes later.
Bobb, who was sent on in the 82nd minute, showed dazzling footwork to capitalise on De Bruyne's pass.
"I am a little bit upset with him because he didn't score from the free-kick!," Guardiola joked when asked to sum up de Bruyne's impact.
"When opponents are tired, Kevin and Oscar provide another pace at the end. Oscar's was a fantastic goal for the control. We were really impressed in the pre-season, I knew from information for the second team he was special," he said.
Bobb joined City's youth ranks from Valerenga in 2019 and has been given his chance this season.
Reuters
