Andy Gray gets it wrong as Fulham player lucky to avoid punishment vs Everton
Keith Hackett sides with Richard Keys in that Sasa Lukic should’ve been sent off for Fulham in their loss to Everton.
Everton triumphed in a 2-0 victory over Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.
It was a fabulous performance all round, with Vitalii Mykolenko praised for his performance against Fulham after an inconsistent start to the season.
Indeed, the Toffees were able to walk away with a convincing win, despite the few hardships that came their way.
Sasa Lukic should’ve been penalised for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall challenge
Idrissa Gueye fired Everton in front during the win over Fulham just before the whistle for half-time.
But before the midfielder scored the Toffees’ opener, David Moyes’ side were searching for their first goal of the afternoon.
Around 10 minutes into the first half, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was away, with Lukic closely tracking him, and the Everton star carried the ball down the length of the pitch.
In a last-ditch effort to stop the Toffees’ attack, the Fulham star, who was already on a yellow card, tugged at Dewsbury-Hall’s shirt in a moment which spurred controversy.
Andy Gray was convinced that Lukic hadn’t got enough on his shirt to warrant a booking, while Keys disagreed.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS on 8 November, Gray said: “I don’t think it’s strong enough.”
“By the letter of the law, it’s a booking. It bemuses me,” Keys responded.
Weighing into the debate, Hackett exclusively told Goodison News that it was a holding offence that should have been penalised with a yellow card.
“That is a holding offence that should have been penalised with a yellow card. Keys is right on this one,” former PGMOL chief Hackett said.
Dewsbury-Hall later also saw his second-half effort ruled out in a game where Everton fans will likely feel hard done by, albeit their side did pick up all three points.
Everton completely dominated Fulham
The Toffees’ win over Fulham goes to show just how unimportant ball possession is when used ineffectively.
- Everton finished with 51 per cent possession
- Fulham ended the game with 49 per cent
While both saw a lot of the ball, Everton created four big chances while their opponents failed to create a single one, according to Sofascore.
Meanwhile, the Toffees took 14 shots to the visitors’ eight, while five of the home side’s shots were on target.
It was complete and utter domination, and even if their opponents should’ve been down to ten men in the first half, succeeding against 11 is by far a better feat.
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