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Premier League Explain Controversial Penalty Decision
The Premier League have explained why Everton were not awarded a penalty in their 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, a decision which prompted outcry inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium and online.
The Gunners were gifted the opportunity to go in front when Jake O’Brien handled the ball from a corner, giving the referee little choice but to point to the penalty spot. Viktor Gyokeres made no mistake from 12 yards, dispatching the ball past Jordan Pickford.
That early goal proved to be all Arsenal needed to clinch an important win away from home. The result guarantees that they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day, with them now two points ahead of Manchester City.
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Premier League Explain Non-Penalty Call
However, there was an element of good fortune to Arsenal’s win. Many people felt that Everton deserved a penalty kick in the second half after William Saliba kicked Thierno Barry.
With the ball bouncing inside the box, the French international attempted to clear it from danger. But instead of making contact with the ball, he kicked through the raised leg of the Toffees forward, who fell to the turf in anguish.
Despite protests from Everton players and supporters, the referee declined to give the penalty. That decision was confirmed by VAR, leaving many viewing fans scratching their heads.
Check Out the Incident Below:
Since then, the Premier League have elaborated on why the decision was made. Taking to their Match Centre Account on X, they wrote that the contact between the pair “wasn’t sufficient” for a penalty.
They said: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Everton was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact from Saliba on Barry wasn’t sufficient for a penalty.”
David Moyes Bemoans Refereeing Decisions
Following the final whistle, Everton manager David Moyes could be seen having stern words with referee Sam Barrott in the middle of the pitch. Asked about the conversation that took place in an interview with Sky Sports, he declined to go into too much detail out of fear of being fined.
He said: “I’d like to [tell you], but I’d probably be fined in some ways. You need to find ways at Sky to talk to referees or don’t bother asking me.
“It was a day where just a lot of things didn’t quite suit and go our way. There were quite a few people going down injured. The referee was blowing up for them. It’s a different football club here. We play tough. We expect our referees to do the same.”
Then asked specifically about the penalty call that wasn’t given, Moyes questioned the notion that there was insufficient contact. He told Match of the Day: “I think they said it was insignificant contact. Well, we’ll have to see a few others and see if they’re right. Sometimes you need some decisions to go for you. Tonight the decisions didn’t go.”
