Nedum Onuoha stunned live on BBC after controversial incident in Everton v Crystal Palace, ‘no way’
Nedum Onuoha was left stunned live on air after Crystal Palace weren’t awarded a second penalty against Everton on Saturday (11 November).
Speaking on the BBC’s Final Score on Saturday (03:25pm), the pundit said the initial reaction from Jarrad Branthwaite to put his hands up was a “bit of a tell-tale” that he had fouled Eberechi Eze, who had already won one spot kick earlier on in the game.
But the referee disagreed as the Palace attacking midfielder was handed a yellow card for diving, with the Toffees claiming a 3-2 victory at Selhurst Park.
“I think that’s a pen,” said Onuoha. “I think Branthwaite’s initial reaction to put his hands up and say nothing’s happened, I think that’s a bit of a tell-tale and then shortly after saying ‘get up, get up’.
“But I think that’s a penalty because there’s as much contact with that second one as there was with the first one.”
The pundit then said “no way” as VAR decided it wasn’t a penalty after reviewing the incident.
“I think, for me, that’s led by the referee’s decision,” he added. “I think if the referee gives a penalty, they don’t overturn it.”
Evened things up
The decision to not give a penalty probably evened things up after Eze was fortunate to be given a penalty in the third minute of the game.
This incident potentially looked like more of a foul than the previous one, but it would have been harsh on Everton to concede two penalties.
It came at an extremely important time in the game as the scores were level at 1-1, meaning it could’ve ended very differently if Palace had been awarded another spot kick and taken the lead.
But that didn’t prove to be the case, with Idrissa Gueye’s late goal securing a superb win on the road for the Toffees that puts them in a much better position in the Premier League table.
Sean Dyche will be pleased with the determination his side are showing at the moment after opening up an eight-point gap on the teams in the relegation zone.
In other Everton news, a BBC pundit has shared an “intriguing” admission amid Dyche’s style of play.