Everton v Bournemouth controversy: BBC pundit reacts as footage emerges on MOTD
Everton fell to an FA Cup defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday but the game wasn’t without its controversy.
The Toffees were heading into what they now know was their final ever cup clash at Goodison Park on 8 February but failed to secure a win.
It was the travelling Cherries who spoiled the party in L4 with first-half strikes from both Daniel Jebbison and Antoine Semenyo.
The latter converted from 12 yards after winning the spot-kick as referee John Brooks adjudged James Tarkowski to have fouled the Ghana international.
Ashley Williams reacts to Bournemouth penalty decision v Everton
This decision wasn’t without contention on Merseyside with the home faithful voicing their discontent before the forward smashed his effort in past Jordan Pickford.
Despite any frustration with the match official giving the penalty, former Toffees defender and BBC pundit Williams was in no doubt.
Speaking on Match of the Day (8 February), he said: “Tarkowski should have got back a lot quicker and now he has to make a last-ditch tackle which, as we slow it down and we show it, is a penalty for me.
“Maybe, he gets a little bit of the ball after but he gets the player.”
It is fair to say that the former Wales international was in full agreement with the decision which ultimately knocked his old employers out of the competition.
Everton FA Cup dreams shattered v Bournemouth
Given that it is the last ever season at Goodison, fans will have been hopeful of a positive run in the cup to say goodbye to the Grand Old Lady.
Under David Moyes, the positivity around the Evertonians has been superb and that should have played its part to earn a positive result against the Cherries.
This wasn’t the case and Andoni Iraola’s side were able to maintain their superb Premier League form in the cup to secure a 2-0 win with little competition.
It is that last point that will frustrate the home faithful in L4, they would have wanted to see their side fight to give Goodison a perfect send-off.
With the atmosphere that can be generated at home, there is every chance that the Toffees can beat anyone as the competition moves on but they won’t be given that chance.
Instead, Moyes and Co. have a Merseyside Derby clash against Liverpool to look forward to as his side looks to finish the league season in the best possible fashion.