Everton boss Marco Silva: Jake Cooper goal in Millwall FA Cup win proves VAR needed for every tie

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Marco Silva called for VAR in every FA Cup tie after he felt his Everton side were on the wrong end of a crucial call in their 3-2 loss at Millwall today.

The Lions had just fallen behind for the second time in the afternoon to Cenk Tosun’s goal when Jake Cooper levelled.

But replays showed that the Millwall centre-back handled the ball over the line.

And even the big screen at The Den started re-showing the incident from the BBC’s feed until it was cut short.

Some of the competition’s games have had the video review system in place to look back at key decisions.

Silva said: “After our second goal maybe the big impact was the decision of the referee. If the competition has VAR in some stadiums and stages it has to be in all – because it doesn’t make sense.

“That moment if we have seven or eight players in the penalty area and seven or eight saw handball it is really difficult how the referee and assistant cannot see also. 

“After one minute all the thousands of people [in the crowd] saw it on the big screen – but the referee did not see.

“I’m sure the handball is not allowed in football and that goal was not a goal.

“It doesn’t make sense [not having VAR]. If we have to be fair with all the clubs and competition you have to do it for all the games. Now you go home, big frustration. We have to put VAR in every stadium.”

Silva also felt his side should have shown more responsibility to defend Millwall set-pieces – with all their goals coming from dead-ball situations.

Silva said: “It was a difficult pitch, a difficult opponent and big crowd supporting our opponent.

“In the last 15 minutes we have to play our game and not give them [Millwall] what they want – always winning free-kicks and corners.

“You can work 20 or 30 hours the same thing [defending set-pieces] but if in 93 or 94minutes you cannot take your responsibility on the pitch it will be difficult to achieve what you want and be strong in that moment.

“We work on what we have to work on – what I decide we have to work. 

“When you plan to play Millwall, home or away, we know what they want – winning fouls, some corners and long throw-ins. 

“The fouls at some times, we gave them what they wanted.”