‘Looking at replays…’ – Ex-PGMOL boss re-analyses Eberechi Eze controversy vs Tottenham, compares to Van Dijk ‘goal’
Howard Webb must instil more consistency after Eberechi Eze’s first goal was allowed to stand in Arsenal’s thrashing of Tottenham.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the England international’s goal rightly stood, unlike Virgil van Dijk’s against Man City.
Eze scored a hat-trick at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 23 November, after Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in fine fashion.
Thomas Frank‘s side could only hit back through an audacious long-range effort from Richarlison, catching David Raya off his line, but there was debate over whether one goal should have stood.
Michael Oliver right to allow Eberechi Eze goal vs Tottenham
In the 41st minute, Eze danced around several players before firing past Guglielmo Vicario to double the Gunners’ lead, but replays showed that three of his teammates had strayed offside.
Bukayo Saka has been in fine form for Arsenal, with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi also moving into offside positions, but it was deemed that none of the trio had interfered with play.
That has been heavily debated, especially by Spurs supporters who feel the result changed due to the decision, but Hackett has explained his reasons for the goal being allowed to stand.
As well as agreeing with the decision, he returned to the disallowed Van Dijk goal, which infuriated supporters of all Premier League clubs, with the former PGMOL boss crying out for consistency.
Keith Hackett sends a clear message to Howard Webb after similar incidents
Hackett spoke exclusively to Football Insider about incidents, saying: “From my point of view, looking at replays, you can see that the goalkeeper has a good sightline, and there’s distance from him to the players who are offside.
“There are three Arsenal players all standing in an offside position. That in itself is not an offence. What we have to look at is whether any of them are interfering with an opponent.
“Are they preventing a player from playing the ball? The answer is no. Are they obstructing the opponent’s line of vision? No. Are they challenging for the ball? No.
“I’m not going to rule that out. I argued very strongly against Liverpool’s goal [versus Man City] being ruled out. In Newcastle versus Man City, we had the same, but the goal was allowed to stand.
“I’m for consistency. And I don’t think offside should be used as a means of ruling out good goals. The performance of [Eberechi] Eze was spectacular.”