Gary Neville called out after Everton vs Tottenham controversy – ‘Completely wrong’
Gary Neville has come under fire after Everton lost to Tottenham on Sunday.
Everton fell to a 3-0 defeat against Spurs as the Toffees’ unbeaten streak at the Hill Dickinson Stadium came to an end.
There were few positives for David Moyes to take, with Thierno Barry’s performance against Tottenham as a substitute being a plus point.
The home side looked to have equalised before Craig Pawson ruled Jake O’Brien’s header out for offside after a pitchside review.
Neville was on co-commentary duty for the Merseyside clash and has since been scrutinised for his verdict surrounding the Ireland international.
Gary Neville slammed by Jay Bothroyd after Tottenham controversy
Richard Keys was baffled to see Everton’s goal ruled out after the ex-Lyon man powered home a header at the near post.
That feeling was echoed around the Hill Dickinson as supporters were left enraged to see a corner goal ruled out.
Initially, it appeared that the strike had been chalked off due to a foul on Guglielmo Vicario from either Iliman Ndiaye or Jack Grealish.
O’Brien’s header was actually spoiled by offside, with Neville suggesting that it was a 50:50 call on Sky Sports.
Former referee Dermot Gallagher spoke out live on Sky Sports News on 27 October to clarify the situation.
He said: “No [It shouldn’t have been allowed]. I think, when you see this, people say, ‘It’s a soft foul on the keeper. ‘ It’s not a foul, it’s offside.’
“The minute Jake O’Brien heads the ball, everybody’s in play, and Ndiaye makes physical contact and is in an offside position. He must impact him.“
This prompted Jay Bothroyd to hit out at Neville for his comments on co-commentary, as he said: “Gary Neville has got that wrong, completely wrong to be honest.
“He’s impeding the keeper, both are in an offside position, and they’re impeding the goalkeeper. The mere fact they’re there means you’re affecting what the goalkeeper can do. I don’t know what Gary Neville is talking about there.“
Neville got it wrong at Everton vs Tottenham
The home faithful may have been fuming on Merseyside, but the match officials ultimately came to the right decision.
O’Brien’s header was excellent, but was let down by the shocking and utterly bizarre positioning of his teammates.
How Grealish and Ndiaye thought they would get away with not only impacting Vicario, but from an offside position is beyond many people’s understanding.
It is strange that Neville would suggest the decision was incorrect, especially after watching multiple replays as part of Sky Sports’ coverage.
Moyes agreed with the decision, and now the Toffees just have to move on and accept they weren’t good enough on the day.
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