Premier League release statement after Sunderland vs Everton controversy
The Premier League have moved to clarify a contentious moment in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Monday night.
Sunderland wanted a penalty in the final 15 minutes when the ball hit Everton defender Michael Keane on the arm from a Noah Sadiki cross.
Keane’s arms were away from his body as he blocked the cross, with the home fans demanding referee Tim Robinson to point to the spot.
Robinson elected against doing so, however, and Everton saw out a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in what was a mixed display.
Iliman Ndiaye opened the scoring for Everton, who saw Thierno Barry miss a glorious chance prior to Granit Xhaka equalising early in the second period.
One point could have easily been no points had a penalty been awarded, though.
Michael Keane fortunate as Sunderland denied penalty
Everton were made slight favourites to beat Sunderland prior to a ball being kicked, despite being six points behind their opponents in the table.
On the basis of the opening 35 minutes or so, pretty much up to Barry’s shocking miss, that prediction looked certain to come true.
But Sunderland recovered well, got an equaliser early in the second period and then did more to win the game of the two teams.
The pressure almost told when the ball struck Keane, but VAR agreed with the referee’s decision that it was not worthy of a penalty.
Clarifying the situation, an announcement on the Premier League Match Centre X account read: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Sunderland was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Keane’s arm deemed to be in a justifiable position.”
The key part of that statement is the “justifiable position”, which Sunderland fans will no doubt disagree with.
Thankfully for Everton the call went in their favour, and a point at the Stadium of Light is not a bad result at all on the balance of things.
Sunderland vs Everton match stats in full
Robinson has not always been universally liked by Everton fans, but they will be grateful with his decision at the Stadium of Light.
A point apiece was probably the right outcome in the end, with Carlos Alcaraz fluffing a good chance to snatch all three points right at the death.
| Sunderland | Everton | |
| 1 | Goals | 1 |
| 1.09 | Expected Goals (xG) | 0.86 |
| 17 | Shots | 8 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 2 |
| 60.8% | Possession | 39.2% |
| 30 | Touches in opposition box | 19 |
The stats show that Everton generated an xG of 0.86 to Sunderland’s 1.06, suggesting Everton should be the happier of the two teams at full-time.
Everton have now taken just one point from the past nine on offer, putting some added pressure on the home clash with Fulham on Saturday.
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