Dermot Gallagher reacts live on Sky Sports to Everton v Luton Town controversy
Dermot Gallagher has shared his verdict as Everton were awarded a penalty against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Friday (3 May).
Jarrad Branthwaite and Teden Mengi were locked in a tussle before a corner was launched into the Luton penalty area, with the latter bringing the Toffees defender to the floor.
After a quick VAR check, Sean Dyche’s team were awarded the spot-kick, to which Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up to dispatch for his fourth goal in five games.
Speaking live via Sky Sports’ Ref Watch on Monday (6 May), the former Premier League referee said: “People say to me, players grapple in the box all the time. But this is so isolated.
“He’s away from everyone – he holds and holds and holds. It has to be a penalty.”
Everton experience VAR controversy against Luton Town
While Gallagher is spot on with his verdict on the Branthwaite incident, most will agree that referee Tim Robinson missed another penalty shout.
Mengi was involved once again, tripping Dwight McNeil up in the penalty area, a moment that was waved away by Robinson and deemed legal by the VAR.
It is certainly a good thing that Everton have already secured their safety in the Premier League this campaign, otherwise, this decision could have had major implications for their season.
Of course, this should be no excuse for referees missing important decisions. At least the rugby tackle on Branthwaite was punished in the first half, helping Calvert-Lewin to score his seventh league goal.
With Elijah Adebayo hitting back seven minutes after the opening goal, Dyche will be disappointed that his side could not record their fourth consecutive victory – a fine run since a 6-0 loss to Chelsea.
Considering the uncertainty currently shadowing Goodison Park, Premier League safety is exactly the news that Evertonians needed.
In other Everton news, King has slammed a “complicated” Premier League development.
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