Everton's manager, Sean Dyche, expressed strong frustration regarding the penalty awarded against his team in their 1-3 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday in the English Premier League.
Dyche stated in a post-match press conference, "Manchester City is a highly skilled team. We are aware of their ability to create opportunities, and our attempts to thwart them were unsuccessful."
He added, "The debate about the penalty could go on all day. It's absurd, but that's how events unfolded. The player's response is entirely natural; he didn't extend his arm to block the ball but genuinely leaped to intercept it."
Dyche went on, "Labeling that incident as a penalty is peculiar in my perspective, but perhaps I'm from a different planet. The assistant referee made that call from a distance of 18 yards today, and at this point, I'm unsure of who is determining what."
Continuing, he stated, "Someone needs to step up and recognize that this play doesn't warrant a penalty, as the player threw himself in front of the ball to prevent it."
In conclusion, Dyche remarked, "Our performance in the first half was commendable, but the penalty altered the course of the match, and overcoming City's lead is always challenging."