Everton: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Ashley Young controversy in Nottingham Forest clash
Dean Ashton believes Ashley Young was lucky not to have been penalised for a handball as Everton beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Sunday (21 April).
The 38-year-old’s performance was completely shrouded in controversy, having been involved in three separate penalty calls, and his handball was highlighted as a near-certain penalty.
Young’s arm appeared to be outstretched in the Toffees’ penalty area as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s touch appeared to be blocked, with Ashton suggesting that Forest should feel hard done by.
Speaking live via Sky Sports News on Sunday (21 April), Ashton said: “Right at the end of the first half, the ball is played over to Hudson-Odoi and over the top of Ashley Young’s head.
“Hudson-Odoi takes the most beautiful touch, just to cushion it the other side of Young, and his arm is slightly out. It’s unfortunate for Young.
“His arm isn’t out here, but it’s away from his body and flinches towards the ball, stopping Hudson-Odoi from getting the ball to the other side. It’s a penalty.
“There are two decisions there that, in a massive game like this, could make a huge difference to Nottingham Forest.”
Was Ashley Young a lucky man in Everton v Nottingham Forest?
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men do have reason to be angry with the decisions surrounding Young’s penalty decisions, though Everton should not be blamed for refereeing mistakes.
The veteran has been extremely inconsistent recently, as have Everton, and his rollercoaster displays only continued as he escaped several punishments during the win over Forest.
The Toffees will not care at all, though, with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Dwight McNeil firing them to all three points amid a tight relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League.
The clash, dubbed the ‘El Deducto’ is just one of several key matches for Sean Dyche’s in the end-of-season run-in, with Brentford, Luton Town and Sheffield United all left to play.
A victory against Forest at Goodison Park was a crucial step towards Premier League safety, but they must perform like that much more, especially after the 6-0 romping from Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the previous outing.
In other Everton news, a senior player may never start for the club again after the Chelsea loss and is now very likely to leave in June.
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