Richard Keys rages over ‘utter nonsense’ after incident in Everton v Leicester
Richard Keys feels the referee’s decision to not award Everton a penalty during the first half of the clash with Leicester City was “utter nonsense”.
Jannik Vestergaard barged into Beto and knocked the Everton forward off his feet, but referee Darren Bond did not put to the spot in a game the Toffees won 4-0.
The Premier League Match Centre argued that Beto did not have control of the ball, but that is something Keys and co-presenter Andy Gray completely disagreed with.
“It’s just absurd,” Keys said live on beIN SPORTS [1 February]. “The Match Centre are arguing [Beto] never had control of the ball.
“It’s utter nonsense – his next stride, he’s getting a shot away.”
When told about the message sent out by the Premier League, Gray simply replied: “Shut up”.
Everton ease to victory over Leicester City
It is fair to say the Toffees’ fortunes have well and truly turned around since David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche last month.
This win was Everton’s third on the spin and lifts them well clear of Premier League relegation danger, with the Merseysiders now able to look up the table rather than behind them.
As terrible as Leicester were – they will be a Championship team once again next season – Moyes’ men deserve praise for doing what they had to.
As for the penalty decision debated by Keys and Gray, it is hard to argue with them. It looked a nailed-on penalty in real time, and arguably even more so when watching back the replays.
The argument of Beto not having control of the ball simply does not make sense. Had he not been budged over, he would have got a shot away.
In the end it mattered little thanks to Everton’s clinical finishing, but on another day this may have been a major talking point.
In other Everton news, the Blues have reportedly made a double approach for a Bundesliga transfer.
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