Roy Hodgson delivers verdict on Everton red card in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup draw

Roy Hodgson admitted he had sympathy for Sean Dyche over Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second-half red card in Crystal Palace’s goalless FA Cup third round draw with Everton.

Calvert-Lewin was issued with a red card for a foul on Nathaniel Clyne with just over 10 minutes to go after a VAR check from referee Chris Kavanagh showed the English striker put a tackle in on the former Liverpool defender with his studs up.

The Eagles had three shots on target during the game, with Odsonne Edouard and David Ozoh coming on after Everton were reduced to 10 men, but were unable to find a way past Joao Virginia.

The two sides will meet again for a replay at Goodison Park before Crystal Palace’s Premier League clash at Arsenal on January 20.

“Sean comes from a type of football where those types of challenges were pretty commonplace,” said Hodgson.

“We now live in a slightly different world. If you go into challenges and you have a bit of intent behind it, then there is a risk, unfortunately, that the referee will give a red card.

“I have every sympathy with him – there was definitely no malicious intent from Calvert-Lewin. There is no question of that. 

“It’s just a situation of an interpretation of a challenge. The interpretation, unfortunately, can be that if your foot is off the ground as you go into the challenge, it can be deemed a red card.

“Do I understand Sean Dyche’s frustration and disappointment with the decision? Yes I do, but I’m not prepared to criticise the referee either.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD