It’s been a pretty dismal couple of weeks for Everton manager Roberto Martinez, particularly with regards to refereeing decisions — or, perhaps, the non-decisions — seemingly forever going against his side.
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First there was the 98th-minute equalizer scored by John Terry, 11 days ago, that robbed the Toffees of two more very deserved away points at Stamford Bridge, but that will pale in comparison to the injustice his side felt on Wednesday, in the second leg of the League Cup semifinal (FULL RECAP) against Manchester City.
On the goal that put Man City level on aggregate (below video), at 3-3, the whole of the ball quite clearly crossed the whole of the endline just before Raheem Sterling put his left foot through the ball and sent it penalty spot-bound for Kevin De Bruyne, who hammered his first-time shot home. City would go on to score the tie’s winning goal six minutes later.
GOAL AND CONTROVERSY. De Bruyne gives @MCFC lead but did ball go out FIRST. 2-1. #CapitalOneCup https://t.co/4thQV4jCOX
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 27, 2016
After the game, Martinez was understandably aggrieved and disheartened at his side’s lack of fortune. “It’s heartbreaking,” the Spaniard said in his post-game television interview (below video). “It’s incredible that you don’t get that decision right.”
Martinez on controversial De Bruyne goal: "It's incredible you don't get that decision right.....It's heartbreaking" https://t.co/fPIWrBCY74
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 27, 2016
Not to make matters any worse for Martinez and Co., but Sergio Aguero appeared to be very narrowly offside, though much less definitive, on the tie-winning goal, as well.
With the Toffees currently sitting 12th in the Premier League table, an appearance in the League Cup final would have given the club its first shot at a major trophy since 1995. Perhaps more importantly for Martinez, it would have won a bit of goodwill following a rather disappointing 18-month period.