SEAN Dyche felt Everton’s equalising goal in their 1-1 draw at Burnley should have been ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

Allan dispossessed Ashley Westwood and Burnley’s pleas for an infringement fell on deaf ears before the Everton midfielder released Richarlison, whose first-time cross was turned in by a sliding Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the stroke of half-time.

The home side had taken a third-minute lead when Robbie Brady drilled home from 25 yards on his return from injury, Westwood having intercepted a loose Allan pass to set up the Irishman. 

On Everton’s leveller, Dyche said: “I don’t think VAR should be getting involved in everything on the pitch. It’s the referee I’m actually questioning.

“That for me is deemed a foul in modern football, I don’t actually agree that should be a foul but the rules and the way football pans out now, virtually every week that gets given.

“There was low-level contact on his shoulder, knee and foot but he still went over.

“I see it every week, those in the middle of the pitch are given all the time. Lo and behold when we need it: not given. It’s happened too many times this season.

“I ask my players not to roll around the floor, I ask them not to squeal or dive. But it’s actually costing us and it cost us here.”

Dyche was heartened by his side’s performance after last week’s 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City.

England goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope made several important saves as the sides drew for the first time in the Premier League following an entertaining encounter at Turf Moor watched by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

Pickford denied Clarets striker Chris Wood in a one-on-one opportunity while Pope clawed away a curling effort from Everton forward James Rodriguez destined for the top corner and then thwarted substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson late on.

Dyche said: “Overall I think it’s a good point. The performance level was what we’ve come to expect over a number of seasons here: the will, the command, the drive and some of the quality was good as well.

“We created some good chances and look like an effective unit. I thought you saw a reaction from the group to try and get a result.”