Lampard feels hair pull should have led to Coventry penalty

Everton came from behind to beat Coventry 3-1, but Coventry manager Frank Lampard questioned three refereeing decisions that he felt could have changed the match. He argued that James Tarkowski’s hair pull on Caleb Yirenkyi should have brought a first-half penalty, while also disputing the calls on a challenge against Taiwo Awoniyi and a possible handball by Thierno Barry.

Yann Gboho put Coventry ahead after the break before Barry scored twice and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added a late goal. The rules introduced this season mean hair pulling is not automatically a foul or a sending-off, with force and intent considered; Lampard said the tug was still a foul, while Everton manager David Moyes denied Barry handled the ball and criticised the hair-pulling rule. Coventry’s defeat left them 16th, while Everton moved up to fifth.