Arsenal were denied a penalty after Michael Keane tangled with Kai Havertz
18:13, 14 Mar 2026Updated 18:34, 14 Mar 2026
Kai Havertz of Arsenal is challenged by Michael Keane of Everton
View Image
Arsenal were denied a penalty despite apparent contact from Michael Keane on Kai Havertz(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal were denied a penalty against Everton after Kai Havertz was brought down in the first half of the Premier League clash.
Midway through the first-half, Havertz was slid through in behind the Everton backline by Ebere Eze but the German went down under the challenge of Michael Keane. Referee Andy Madley wasn't interested and waved played on before the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) checked and cleared the decision.
It was a crucial encounter with Arsenal looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Premier League Match Centre posted on social media: "The referee’s call of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact from Keane on Havertz deemed to be minimal."
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith was left bemused by the decision not to award a spot-kick as he felt Havertz was clearly caught by Keane.
He said: "He just catches his left boot, it's a foul. It's a foul all day long."
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
It was an even opening with Arsenal looking to open up a 10-point gap over Manchester City before their late kick-off in East London against West Ham United.
However, it was Everton who had the better of the opening chances. Riccardo Calafiori acrobatically blocked from Iliman Ndiaye.
The woodwork then came to the rescue of the Gunners when Dwight McNeil's curling effort rattled the post before the Senegalese winger fired wide on the rebound.
David Raya was called into action by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the half-hour mark as he pushed away the former Chelsea midfielders' effort from 18 yards.
Everton have caused plenty of problems for the hosts, who are still searching for a breakthrough. The match remains goalless at half-time.
Speaking at half-time, Daniel Sturridge said: "There's enough [for a penalty], yeah. You can see he's clearly kicked him. He's tried to guide him with his leg, he's put his leg out a little bit but for me, he's kicked him."
Meanwhile, Jamie Redknapp added: "It's clear. It's so clear. How on Earth has VAR taken three seconds to say that's not a penalty, I'll never know. That's a horrendous decision.
"It's a definite penalty, it should be overturned. Look at the players' reaction, you're stepping across to use your body to protect the ball and then, once he does that, he's in front, you just have to get out of his way. You cannot do that, that's rule number one."
Jones then asked: "Is he already going down, though?"
"You sound like VAR now," Redknapp added.
"The fact it took such a short amount of time, we see VAR with decisions that everyone at home can see it's not a penalty or a bad decision and it takes five or 10 minutes. But that, they've taken three seconds and said it's not a penalty.
"It's an absolute disgrace how that's not been given or overturned."
MORE TO FOLLOW.
We'll bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news, visit football.london. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you for the capital's clubs.
Shining a light on the issues fans really want to know about and providing rolling coverage of the latest news, football.london's writers give you the bigger picture on your club by knowing the little details inside-out.
Follow us on X @Football_LDN - for the all latet news as it happens in real time.
Article continues below
Sign up for one of Football London's free daily and weekly newsletters on your club by clicking here