Leeds United made a dream return to the Premier League with a deserved 1-0 home victory over Everton at Elland Road on Tuesday (AEST).
Lukas Nmecha slotted home a confident penalty in the 84th minute to separate the teams after the officials found James Tarkowski guilty of handball following a deflected shot.
"That's a scandal. That's never a penalty," former England international Chris Sutton said on the BBC.
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But former Leeds star Michael Bridges saw it differently on Stan Sport's coverage.
"You'll see him lean into it. And he's trying to get his chest up," Bridges said.
"I know as a defender he's trying to get his arm out of the way, but it has struck the arm and it is a target, and he was leaning in that direction, trying to get his chest to it."
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David Moyes at Elland Road.
David Moyes at Elland Road. Getty
Everton manager David Moyes had words with referee Chris Kavanagh - who awarded the penalty before being checked by VAR - after the final whistle.
Leeds were promoted into the top flight after winning the Championship last season.
"They're going to be a force in the Premier League if they keep playing like that," Liverpool legend Michael Owen said on Stan Sport's coverage.
The James Tarkowski hand ball.
The James Tarkowski hand ball. Stan
Manchester City star Jack Grealish made his Everton debut off the bench after being loaned out to the Liverpool club.
Leeds dominated the first half in front of a raucous Elland Road crowd, but wasted a host of chances to break the deadlock.
Everton, on the other hand, did not muster a single shot, on or off target, in the opening period.
- with Reuters
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