Latest Everton news and gossip as the Blues are handed a verdict on the penalty that led to their defeat to Leeds United
James Tarkowski of Everton reacts following a hand ball incident
James Tarkowski of Everton reacts following a hand ball incident(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Everton have been handed a fresh verdict on the controversial decision to award Leeds United a penalty in their Premier League defeat on Monday night. The Blues lost 1-0 at Elland Road after Lukas Nmecha scored from the spot in the 84th minute for Leeds.
Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded Leeds a penalty for a handball by James Tarkowski in the closing minutes of the contest. VAR checked the decision and confirmed that the on-field call of a spot-kick being awarded would stand.
The defeat means David Moyes' side begin the new campaign with a loss away from home as they now look ahead to their first home match of the new season. The Blues will take on Brighton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday in their first competitive match at their new home.
And now former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has explained why he disagreed with the decision to hand Leeds a penalty.
“That's not a penalty. That's absolutely not a penalty," he saidduring BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage.
"Who knows what the directive is, but his arm is down by his side. We'll hear David Moyes after - but that's a scandal, I think. That's never a penalty. With the way the directive is I think that is really, really harsh.”
Moyes also explained why he believes it was the incorrect decision to give Leeds a penalty.
“If VAR has made the decision I think it made the wrong decision," he said. "I'm obviously going to say it's not a penalty and I believe it's not a penalty.
"I've been to see the referee. The referee sort of took nothing to do with it. He thought it was to do with VAR, the decision they've made. I don't know what else I can say… The frustration is that there's lots of other frustrations."