‘I examined it on several occasions’ – PGMOL expert explains why Everton were denied penalty vs Arsenal
Everton fans should not be furious with Samuel Barrott after David Moyes’ side were denied a penalty against Arsenal on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Saliba did not deserve to be punished for his challenge inside the penalty area on 22 December.
Mikel Arteta’s side claimed a narrow win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring from 12 yards after a blatant handball from Jake O’Brien at a corner.
Matters could have been very different had the Toffees also been given a penalty, but after a swift VAR check, Barrott’s decision was upheld, and play continued on Merseyside.
William Saliba avoids key penalty decision vs Arsenal
In the 57th minute, there was clear contact between Saliba and Thierno Barry, as the Arsenal defender attempted to clear the ball before kicking the Everton attacker’s leg with the follow-through.
That would have levelled up the score going into the final 30 minutes, a result which would have seen the Toffees move up to ninth in the table after Brighton‘s goalless draw with Sunderland.
Barrott has not been a favourite with Premier League fans this season, but after watching replays of the incident, Hackett has explained why the Toffees were left wanting at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Although there was a VAR check, Moyes’ players were left frustrated despite huge calls, especially from Barry, but the former PGMOL chief believes the correct decision was made in the end.
Why Samuel Barrott and VAR were spot on to deny Everton
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider on The Final Whistle, said: “The player played the ball. It was there to win. There’s no malice or excessive force, so I don’t believe it was a penalty.
“Football is a contact sport, and this is where you have to have balance. The referee is in a good position – he’s got a good view. VAR has that second view as well. When I saw it, there was a general view that it might be a penalty.
“But when I really examined it on several occasions, I think it would have been really harsh. Both players were just playing football and going for the ball.”