Keith Hackett: Everton suffered major refereeing injustice in 1-0 defeat at Brentford
We’re delighted to welcome former Premier League referee Keith Hackett as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Everton...
Keith Hackett is adamant that Everton deserved to be awarded a penalty kick in their 1-0 defeat to Brentford on Sunday.
Ivan Toney’s first-half spot-kick was the difference between two sides at the Brentford Community Stadium, but the Blues were aggrieved after their own penalty shout was turned down.
Charlie Goode’s challenge on Salomon Rondon drew cries from the Everton players but their appeals fell on deaf ears as VAR did not intervene after the referee dismissed it.
Former Premier League referee Hackett believes it was a major oversight from the officials.
“Look, I think this holding scenario, it appears to me that the referees have been given instruction by the PGMOL in terms of tolerance level around these particular offences,” Hackett told Goodison News.
“But it’s a holding offence, clearly he’s impeded his opponent and it’s a penalty kick today, tomorrow and every day.
“This is football, we play with our feet other than the goalkeeper. You can’t ignore those incidents.”
Costly call
A penalty would have handed Everton a big chance to equalise and change the mood heading into half-time.
As it was, the Bees went into the interval in a confident mood and they emerged from the tunnel looking to hold onto their slender lead.
The Blues huffed and puffed but couldn’t find their way past the Brentford backline, and they were left to rue their luck as Rondon’s penalty claim proved to be huge.
In other Everton news, Jeff Stelling has blasted this ‘Daft’ Blues ace.
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