Dyche puzzled by refereeing decisions

Clarets boss Sean Dyche was at a loss to explain referee Mike Jones’ decisions as Burnley dropped to the bottom of the table after a 1-0 defeat at Everton.
Sean Dyche had no complaints over the red card for Ashley BarnesSean Dyche had no complaints over the red card for Ashley Barnes
Sean Dyche had no complaints over the red card for Ashley Barnes

Jones gave a penalty for David Jones’ challenge on Aaron Lennon, which was outside the box - although Tom Heaton saved from Ross Barkley.

Jones then dismissed Ashley Barnes for two bookable offences, before allowing Kevin Mirallas to stay on the pitch for a studs-up jump into George Boyd’s shin, and turned down two Burnley penalty appeals for handball against John Stones, and a clip in the box on Scott Arfield by Phil Jagielka.

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Dyche said: “He (Barnes) gives everything. Two silly challenges, not malicious. It is v difficult 10 v 11. He got that right, that was good.

Sean Dyche had no complaints over the red card for Ashley BarnesSean Dyche had no complaints over the red card for Ashley Barnes
Sean Dyche had no complaints over the red card for Ashley Barnes

“I was interested in the view of the penalty he had. It was outside the box. Tom made a fantastic save.

“Scotty Arfield is dancing across their box and if he goes down, it is given. I don’t think it is nailed on but the principle should be the same. Scotty stays on his feet.

“The biggest one is the Mirallas challenge. It is impossible he stays on the football pitch. I don’t think he is that sort of player.

“High, late. I don’t understand how he wasn’t sent off.”

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Dyche spoke on Thursday about his players’ honesty this season, and, after Sam Vokes was criticised by Ruud Gullit for not going to ground against Swansea, Arfield also stayed on his feet.

Dyche said: “I wouldn’t tell him to go down. If you get touched and go down it is a penalty. But I don’t teach my players to do it and tell them to do it. We had one the other week with Vokesy. Ruud Gullit says he is naïve because he doesn’t go down. I think it is very tough for referees to decipher who is simulating and who is not?

“I don’t think we have been punished over the season. I don’t think fans want to see players surrounding referees. Maybe we should because other teams would have for the Mirallas challenge. We attempt not to simulate. We attempt not to surround the referee.”

Everton were kept at bay by Heaton, but Burnley had their chances, with Jones and Danny Ings squandering their best openings, and Dyche added: “The big chance straight after their goal for Jonah was a big big chance. He just catches it too well. Ingsy has a good chance. It is frustrating for me. Generally I thought the performance was decent. I thought the players were very brave.”