Crystal Palace vs Everton: Keith Hackett reacts to late Tim Iroegbunam controversy
Crystal Palace and Everton played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park on Sunday in a game not without its controversial moments.
Referee Tom Bramall certainly had plenty to preside over, with some big penalty shouts turned down at Selhurst Park.
In the end the sides had to settle for a point apiece as Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta cancelled out James Tarkowski and Beto goals respectively.
Everton’s point moves them into 10th in the Premier League, two points off the top eight.
As the dust settles on an eventful contest in South London, former FIFA referee Keith Hackett has shared his thoughts exclusively to Goodison News on one of the contentious moments.
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Should Daichi Kamada have been awarded a penalty?
David Moyes will have mixed thoughts as Everton make the journey back north to Merseyside.
Everton could easily have left Selhurst Park with all three points; they could easily have returned with none at all.
A point away from home is never a bad result, but the Toffees know they will likely need positive results against Sunderland and Tottenham if they are to make it into Europe.
The point could easily have evaporated in the 84th minute as Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada went to ground under contact from Tim Iroegbunam.
However, Hackett believes Kamada tried to con the official into awarding a late spot-kick to the home side.
“The Palace player goes to ground rather too easily for me and not enough for a penalty kick to be awarded,” Hackett said. “The referee made the correct call.”
James Garner could match unwanted Everton history
James Garner was involved in the thick of the action in the capital and was issued a yellow card.
That was the 11th he has picked up in the Premier League this season, with two more games to go.
Only Olivier Dacourt (13 in 1998-99) and Marouane Fellaini (12 in 2008-9) have received more in a single campaign in the competition for Everton.
Should Garner be booked against Sunderland and Tottenham – which, let’s face it, can’t be ruled out – he would match that long-standing record held by Dacourt.
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