'It's a mess' - Ex-refs chief slams 'overcomplicated' law as Everton vs Hull City footage re-analysed

Hull City and Everton supporters are understandably baffled by Brennan Johnson's disallowed goal at the MKM Stadium.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Welshman's goal would have stood in his day.

The 25-year-old thought he had his first Premier League goal in Everton colours inside the opening 35 minutes on Sunday, 11 October.

Johnson's joy was short-lived, however, as VAR reviewed the footage and overturned Michael Salisbury's decision to award the goal.

It appeared that before blocking Hull's attempted clearance, the Toffees attacker was beyond goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, and therefore offside.

This decision has been heavily debated since the 2-2 draw between the Tigers and Everton, and a former referee chief has shared his thoughts on the law.

'In my day, Brennan Johnson's goal would have counted'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett admitted that he understood why so many are confused, blaming the "complexity of the law" for the controversy.

"The actual phase, I think, because there's an attempt to play the ball, you've effectively negated the situation in terms of him becoming active," he said.

"The first lot is the first phase of play, then the second phase is why he's being given offside, and this is the complexity of the law.

"Yes, he is in an offside position, so he's committed an offence. I think the movement makes him active. In my day, we'd have just pointed to the middle and given the goal.

"And I think this is the over-complexity of the offside law. That makes it very difficult for my officials and certainly for fans to understand.

"It's a mess, isn't it? mean, let's face it, he is stood miles offside. I think that law is overcomplicated."

What did the stats say about Johnson's display?

Scoring against the Tigers might have been just the boost that Johnson needed to get his Everton career off the ground, but it wasn't to be.

In 66 minutes, before being replaced by Tyrique George, he created just one chance, an xG of 0.04, had just one off-target shot, and completed no dribbles [FotMob].

He was also caught offside twice, accurately delivered 33 per cent of his crosses, was dribbled past twice, and lost 100 per cent of his ground duels.

A goal might have distracted from his pretty dire stats, but instead, fans continue to question why the Toffees signed him in the summer.