Dermot Gallagher weighs in on Richarlison penalty incident as Everton draw with Spurs
Everton played out a goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Sunday, ending their losing streak in the drab game.
The hosts appeared to have won a penalty in the 64th-minute after referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot as Hugo Lloris raced out to bring Richarlison down.
However, VAR intervened, with a replay suggesting the Spurs goalkeeper got a touch on the ball.
Dermot Gallagher has been asked on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch whether it was the correct call, and he has weighed in with his expert opinion.
The former FIFA ref said: “I think he gets a touch on it and I think he gets a touch on it because of the angle the ball goes.
“If Richarlison had played the ball it would have gone more forward. Does he get the ball? He does get the ball. There is always going to be contact there. He didn’t clear the player out. The player himself did not think it was a foul.
“Is it a clear and obvious error? Well, I didn’t think it was a penalty at the time because I thought the goalkeeper got the ball. Did the referee blow up too early?
“Richarlison didn’t have the ball at his feet [to finish], he’s got his back towards goal, he’s got to try and get that ball, the goalkeeper is in that area and a defender has got back so I think it would be a massive gamble for the referee to play on in that situation.”
Unlucky?
Everton needed to catch a break after three consecutive defeats, and Rafa Benitez would have thought his side had gotten a chance to go ahead in the game.
However, it was not meant to be as VAR had other plans.
The fact that Richarlison’s initial body language suggested there was nothing in the challenge speaks volumes.
The Toffees attacker promptly got up from the challenge and chased the ball, and just maybe that would have resulted in a goal if the whistle had not been blown.
Everton did not look threatening in attack at any point apart from that moment, and they definitely need Dominic Calvert-Lewin back as soon as possible.
It does not seem likely that he will be available for action for the Manchester City trip after the break, but the Blues really could do with a miracle right now.
Having the England international striker, Yerry Mina and Abdoulaye Doucoure available for selection would be huge, and Benitez will be hoping that happens sooner rather than later.
In other Everton news, Sky Sports has been left to rue big Toffees decision amid £3.6billion investment.
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