Dermot Gallagher shares verdict on contentious decision in Everton v Tottenham
Dermot Gallagher believes Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal for Everton rightfully stood in the 3-2 win against Tottenham.
The 27-year-old was “outstanding” at Goodison Park on Sunday (19 January) as he danced past the Spurs defence to fire the hosts into the lead on the way to a monumental victory for David Moyes.
However, groans grew loud from the away end as Jesper Lindstrom appeared to handle the ball in the build-up to the goal, but ex-Premier League referee Gallagher shared why the goal rightfully stood live on Sky Sports News (20 January, 11:14am).
Asked if the referee was right to let it stand, he replied: “I think so, yeah.
“[Lindstrom’s] hand is always in that position – he never moves it towards the ball. The referee has not deemed it deliberate and VAR checked it afterwards, siding with the referee.”
Gallagher added: “If Lindstrom scores it’s disallowed, but because Calvert-Lewin scores it has to be deliberate [to rule it out].”
David Moyes up and running at Everton
Although Sean Dyche performed an admirable job at Everton, the standards have gone up a notch under Moyes.
On Sunday, the Blues extended the gap to the relegation zone to four points and still have a game in hand, but most importantly, they ended their barren streak in front of goal.
Iliman Ndiaye took note of Calvert-Lewin’s effort and took matters into his own hands, as he picked up the ball and drove at the opposition defence, dribbled past Radu Dragusin, and fired past Antonin Kinsky.
Furthermore, Moyes is believed to be “livid” that the Blues allowed Spurs back into the game with two late goals, a far cry from the side that was met by disgruntled fans in London after a crushing 4-0 loss in the reverse fixture.
In a strange turn of events, Everton are only four points adrift of Tottenham in the bottom half of the table and only six points behind Manchester United.
The Friedkin Group exacted change at Goodison Park at the perfect time, and a run of good results could see the Blues leapfrog two sides that were widely expected to finish in the European places at the beginning of the season.
Regardless, Moyes must build on this performance and prove against Brighton next weekend that this win against Spurs was no fluke.
In other Everton news, the Blues make an approach to seal the first David Moyes transfer.
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