Pete Hanson

Thu 28 December 2023 21:10, UK

Former FIFA referee Dermot Gallagher described the spot-kick awarded against Everton versus Manchester City as a “modern-day” penalty.

The Toffees felt aggrieved that Amadou Onana was penalised for handball, claiming he had no time to react to the ball being struck at him during the fixture on Wednesday (27 Tuesday).

Julian Alvarez was able to put City 2-1 in front as the reigning champions ran out 3-1 visitors at Goodison Park and Gallagher – speaking on Sky Sports’ ‘Ref Watch’ segment (28 December) – said the decision was never going to be overturned.

He said: “I think it’s a modern-day penalty for me really isn’t it?

“If you see this kind of thing happen the directive is ‘is the ball striking an arm?’. The argument is it is too close has he got time to react?

“But the minute I saw the replay I said this is going to be given there’s no doubt about that. The referee gave it on field because of the assistant’s direction. It goes to VAR to check, never going to be overturned.”

Clarity needed

Sean Dyche was understandably fuming after the game, claiming Onana’s act was not deliberate and that if it were he should consider becoming a goalkeeper given how good his reflexes are.

It is easy to feel sympathy for Dyche, because while the letter of the law suggests maybe it was a penalty, the reality is the decision is an absolute nonsense, there is simply no way Onana meant to handle the ball how he did.

Everton are already going to be under the cosh against the reigning champions but when decisions like this go against them, especially after all the hard work they had done previously to get in front, it just rankles a little bit.

So, maybe Gallagher is right, maybe it was a decision that had to be given and was never going to be overturned. But there needs to be a serious look at the handball rule because frankly right now it is an absolute nonsense.

In other Everton news, a Toffees transfer twist has emerged in Newcastle United’s bid to sign Kalvin Phillips.