Everton defender James Tarkowski
Everton defender James Tarkowski
Keith Hackett changed his mind on the punishment that should have been dished out to James Tarkowski in Everton's win versus Coventry.
The Everton skipper was involved in a major flashpoint during the Toffees' comeback 3-1 win over Frank Lampard's side at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Caleb Yirenkyi went to ground late in an incident-packed first half in Friday's Premier League contest.
Replays on Sky's live coverage of the game appeared to show Tarkowski pulling the hair of his opponent as he defended a free-kick.
VAR was also required to review whether there had been a handball from the experienced Everton defender, but no punishment was administered and the game continued, with Sky commentator Seb Hutchinson stating the hairpull had not even been checked.
Former FIFA referee Hackett reacted to the incident, but changed his mind from his original stance after reviewing the footage.
Keith Hackett thinks James Tarkowski got away with on in Everton vs Coventry
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Hackett gave his thoughts on the major flashpoint.
The ex-PGMOL chief immediately stated that a penalty should have been awarded against Tarkowski for the hairpull.
He also initially felt that Tarkowski should have been sent off for pulling the hair of Yirenkyi.
However, after reviewing the footage, Hackett performed a U-turn on his initial analysis of the controversy.
Hackett still thinks a penalty should have been awarded, but that a yellow and not a red should have been shown by referee Stuart Attwell.
"Tarkowski has clearly pulled the hair of Yirenkyi," Hackett said.
"This should have resulted in the award of a penalty kick and I believe a yellow card rather than a red.
"There isn't the violence in it (needed to show a red), but it is an offence that should have been penalised."
What did the Premier League do about hairpull rules this summer?
Last season, there were three red cards awarded for the pulling of an opponent's hair in the Premier League.
Consequently, there was a rule change in the summer that now means a yellow card can be shown if the act is deliberate but without excessive force.
So, Tarkowski maybe did get away with committing an offence, and with all the cameras and angles in modern-day football, he certainly took a risk.
But, by the letter of the law now, a red card probably would have been excessive given it was not a violent act.
Ultimately, Everton did get away with one you feel.