Jamie Carragher reacts to controversial Dwight McNeil incident in Everton clash v Luton Town
Everton were not victims of a “huge mistake” in the first half of their Premier League showdown with Luton Town, according to Jamie Carragher.
Sean Dyche’s side continued their recent excellent run of form in the league with a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road on Friday (3 May) after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first-half penalty was cancelled out Elijah Adebayo’s excellent goal.
While the decision to award the second spot-kick was clear, some Toffees supporters felt the Blues deserved an earlier penalty after Dwight McNeil was brought down in the penalty area, but Carragher was less convinced.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event (3 May, 20:16) he said: “It’s one of those decisions where had the referee given a penalty VAR wouldn’t have overturned it, but it’s not a huge mistake.
“I mean VAR said minimal contact and you can just see that on the boot there. Once the referee hasn’t given it, as frustrated as you’ll be as an Evertonian, that’s just the way that VAR works right now.”
Should Dwight McNeil and Everton have been awarded a penalty against Luton Town?
It does seem bizarre that McNeil wasn’t given a penalty for this incident in the first half when only a matter of minutes earlier James Garner was booked for an incredibly similar challenge on Taith Chong.
There is no consistency when it comes to refereeing decisions in the Premier League and while that shouldn’t be a surprise after the controversy against Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park is still bewildering.
Had the spot-kick been awarded it could have changed the entire outcome of the game at Kenilworth Road. It would have been a bit soft, but those sorts of penalties are given week in and week out in the Premier League.
The only advantage for the Toffees is the fact that they have already secured their place in the Premier League for next season. Had this game had more importance that call would have called a meltdown in the away end.
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