Jason Cundy hits out after Everton v Newcastle controversy live on air
Jason Cundy has hit out at Dermot Gallagher’s reasoning for why Everton were not awarded a penalty against Newcastle United on Saturday (5 October).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brought down in the box by Dan Burn after winding up to take a shot, and with calls waved away by Craig Pawson, VAR also agreed with the decision.
Making reference to Kalvin Phillips’ foul on Anthony Gordon last season, which resulted in a penalty, Gallagher suggested the referee was right not to award the spot-kick.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Monday (7 October, 11:35pm), Cundy said: “I don’t think the two are the same, not for me anyway. Calvert-Lewin doesn’t know he’s there.
“The fact he kicks him tells me that Dan Burn has put his body and feet in a desperate attempt. He’s on the wrong side. Calvert-Lewin can’t do anything. He’s gone to swing at the ball. The reason he can’t make contact with the ball is because Burn’s leg is there.
“That, to me, ticks all the boxes for a foul. It’s clear and obvious, stonewaller. Anyone who voted against it being a penalty, I’m stunned. It’s a red herring.”
Everton controversy v Newcastle United continues
The clash between the Toffees and the Magpies was filled to the brim with controversial moments, not least with former Goodison Park star Gordon seeing his spot-kick saved by Jordan Pickford.
Sean Dyche’s side certainly deserved a point against Newcastle, battling away at home, but they may feel they had the chance to secure all three points stolen from under their noses.
Few fans are sure what the Premier League rules are anymore, with more controversial moments appearing each week and VAR rearing its ugly head on far too many occasions.
Of course, the correct use of VAR technology should be solving these types of problems, not making more, but there is still room for human error.
There is rarely any point in listening to former referees about controversial decisions as they are just likely to back up the Premier League’s officials, and it certainly seems to be the case with Gallagher here.
In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher has been made to look silly over a string of social media posts on the Toffees.
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