1 week Ago By [email protected] (Matt C Jones)
The former match official feels Everton were fortunate to get a penalty against the Gunners at Goodison Park Everton were fortunate to get a penalty against Arsenal according to former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher. The spot kick was awarded early in the second half when Myles Lewis-Skelly was deemed to have fouled Jack Harrison in the area. Referee Darren England had his decision checked by VAR, although eventually the on-field decision stood.
Iliman Ndiaye converted the kick and that was enough to give the Blues a 1-1 draw. Leandro Trossard had earlier netted for the Gunners. After the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was unhappy at the penalty decision going against his team.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch programme on Monday morning, Gallagher was largely in agreement with the former Everton midfielder. "I think if you're going to give a foul to the forward in this instance, more of the foul occurs outside the area," he said. "Then he lets go of him.
I don’t think it's a penalty. The player's reaction is key. But it's never going to be overturned when given on pitch.
" Former England international Sue Smith, one of Gallagher's co-panelists on the show, understood why the decision had been made. "I do think it's soft," she added. "But Lewis-Skelly does fall onto him inside the area.
I think that's never going to get overturned. You can see why the referee has given it. He does connect with him.
" The draw all-but ended Arsenal's slender hopes of winning the Premier League title, with the gap now at 11 points to Liverpool after the weekend fixtures. The point pushed the Blues up to 35 points to the season and 15 clear of the relegation zone with seven games left to play..
