Lineker clashes with MOTD pundits over footage of Everton incident v Brighton
Gary Lineker has clashed with Danny Murphy and Alan Shearer over the penalty decision in the Everton win against Brighton.
Iliman Ndiaye scored the winner from 12 yards on Saturday (25 January) after Joel Veltman was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.
This wasn’t initially given by referee Tim Robinson but after VAR sent him to the monitor, the spot-kick was duly awarded.
The two pundits were in full agreement with this decision on Match of the Day (25 January) while former Toffees forward Lineker wasn’t so sure.
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Murphy spoke first, saying: “We are going to disagree. I think it’s a penalty. I think he grabs at the ball, like a deliberate act with his arm.”
Shearer chipped in as he added: “I agree. I think that’s a penalty.”
It is safe to say that presenter Lineker didn’t share the same opinion as he said: “I see why it was given but I’m saying there’s no player ever that would do that intentionally in the box, I think he was pushed by both players and in slow motion it looks more like a penalty.
“The fact that we disagree suggests, is it clear and obvious?”
Gary Lineker disagrees with Everton penalty verdict v Brighton
It is fair to say that on initial viewing, at real speed, it is hard to tell what the Dutchman had done to clear the ball away from Beto.
When looking at zoomed-in footage of the incident, there is little excuse for the Seagulls defender to do what he did.
There is no doubt that the defender handled the ball and made a conscious attempt to swipe the ball away from the Everton forwards.
Even if the referee didn’t see this on the pitch, it is a positive use of VAR to send Robinson to the monitor for a second opinion of the matter.
With that being said, there will always be contradicting opinions on any decision that is made but in this case, it went for David Moyes and the travelling Merseysiders.
With the controversy around this incident, Ndiaye kept his head and converted the penalty to secure three points so won’t be bothered whether it should or shouldn’t have been awarded.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have been offered a deal to seal a budget-friendly midfielder signing from Brazil.
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