Ally McCoist and Alan Brazil ‘staggered’ by Everton v Nottingham Forest controversy
Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist both slammed the controversial decisions during the clash between Everton and Nottingham Forest on Sunday (21 April).
Ashley Young was involved in three potential penalty incidents, all of which were waved away by referee Anthony Taylor and checked by VAR official Stuart Attwell.
The contentious decisions prompted a social media post from Forest, taking to X on Sunday (21 April) to suggest Attwell’s supposed allegiances to Luton Town could have swayed his decision-making at Stockley Park.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Wednesday (24 April, 6:52am), Brazil started by saying: “They’re not going to change it now, but at least one of those three appeals is a penalty. I’m sorry, it had to be.”
McCoist agreed, replying: “The third is a stonewall penalty – I don’t think that’s up for debate. I’m staggered that referee Anthony Taylor never gave it and that Stuart Attwell didn’t tell him to go to the screen to look at it.
“It’s just a stonewall penalty. The first one could have been given. It was a little bit soft but he does kick him, and the handball… You know what I think about VAR.”
Brazil then questioned: “How can you get that wrong? Three examples there – how can’t you give one of them?”
McCoist finished by saying: “It’s impossible not to give the third one. It really is impossible.”
Nottingham Forest controversy continues to fester as Everton look ahead
The controversy surrounding the decisions that fell in Everton’s favour against Forest will certainly continue for weeks to come, especially as decisions could potentially be made on what punishment will be awarded for the social media outburst.
However, the Toffees have been rather professional about the situation having claimed an all-important three points amid a tight relegation battle.
Having been at the very centre of the contentious decisions, Young hit out at the Reds after their statement, and Everton will be hoping that his reaction does not come back to bite them.
With the victory, Sean Dyche’s men moved five points clear of the dropzone. They now face a difficult Merseyside derby with Liverpool on Wednesday (24 April) a fixture they have not won at Goodison Park for 14 years.
Many will not be expecting the Toffees to claim a positive result against their rivals, though they can certainly take confidence from seven points claimed from their last four matches.
Also, Liverpool’s form will be a target ahead of the derby, having dropped out of the Europa League to Atalanta and losing to Crystal Palace.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are facing a potential “catastrophe” after an administration update.
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