Exclusive: Campbell delivers verdict on controversial penalty as Everton beat Liverpool
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell claims the referee made the right decision when a penalty was awarded to Everton in the second half of last weekend’s Merseyside derby.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brought down by Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Blues forward looked to convert the rebound of his initial shot.
There has been some debate around the decision as it initially looked like Alexander-Arnold’s contact was accidental but Campbell insists the right call was made.
“I think it was a penalty,” Campbell told Goodison News.
“There was contact. it was awkward because there was contact made in both ways. One by the defender and one by the attacker.
“Because Calvert-Lewin is going for the rebound off the keeper and Alexander-Arnold comes in he does make contact.
“The referee went to look at the VAR and he gave the penalty. You could argue both ways but for me, that was a penalty.”
Gylfi Sigurdsson converted the all-important spot-kick and secured a vital win in our hunt for a European spot.
Liverpool are no longer the beast they once were and it was imperative that we pick up points at Anfield while others are dropping them.
The Reds may improve before the end of the season and could take points off our top-four rivals, as well as them being top-four rivals themselves, so a win was important in more ways than one.
For us, it was a stonewall penalty.
Alexander-Arnold wipes out DCL when he’s about to shoot and probably score, there is no decision to be made.
We would’ve won the game with that decision or without it the way we were defending but thankfully we were spared late nerves.
In other Everton news, a number of Everton supporters have backed Ben Godfrey to be a future club captain for the Blues.