Jarrad Branthwaite’s crucial Everton goal in Wednesday’s huge 2-0 win over cross-city rivals Liverpool might not have been allowed under a new rule set to come into play next season.
The Toffees enjoyed one of Goodison Park’s greatest evenings in recent memory by not only securing a victory that makes it virtually impossible for them to get relegated, but additionally dealing an almost-fatal blow to Liverpool’s title hopes.
Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled in the heated atmosphere and produced an uncharacteristically poor performance in the Liverpool manager’s final Merseyside derby.
Goals from Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin either side of half-time were enough to complete a resounding victory over a Liverpool side now three points adrift of Premier League leaders, Arsenal.
However, the Toffees’ might not have been celebrating Branthwaite’s goal if it had been scored next season when new technology is set to be brought in to assist VAR officials with offside calls.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s crucial Everton goal in Wednesday’s huge 2-0 win over cross-city rivals Liverpool might not have been allowed under a new rule set to be introduced
Branthwaite gave Everton a surprise lead against Liverpool in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby
Branthwaite runs of to celebrate wildly as Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson lies in a heap on the floor
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In addition to the linesmen and VAR deputies already deployed for every Premier League game, semi-automated technology will also be used by PGMOL officials to help speed up the decision-making process on close offsides.
Branthwaite was played fractions onside by Liverpool defender Ibrahim Konate who was slow in pushing up as the Everton centre-back finished powerfully from close-range.
Video replays used by the VAR team to decide whether the goal should stand show only a single green line used against Branthwaite and Konate with the usual red line absent due to tight calls only showing a single line.
The goal was eventually given as ESPN reported that Branthwaite’s run fell ‘within the tolerance level of the current offside technology’. The ruling will change next season to have zero tolerance on decisions.
Replays show Branthwaite was played just millimetres onside by Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate
Branthwaite’s third Everton goal of his career came as Liverpool struggled to clear danger inside the box and the ball eventually fell into the path of the 21-year-old who hit his effort hard past a helpless Alisson.
Manchester United and Everton legend, Wayne Rooney, praised Everton’s unlikely goalscorer but scathed Liverpool’s defending in the build-up to the goal.
‘We’ve seen this five or six times Everton have won the first contact in the penalty area.
‘Liverpool will have known this is one of Everton’s biggest strengths. This goal the way they pulled defenders is school boy really,’ he added.
