The Premier League is back for Everton, and in true fashion, controversy emerges, leaving Richard Keys in disbelief.
David Moyes would not have been delighted with the performance on show, but there was no doubt that Everton lost a point due to the penalty decision.
James Tarkowski found the verdict ‘bizarre’, with the defender suggesting his arm was in a natural position.
Many Evertonians will agree, and there was also a suggestion that Iliman Ndiaye was fouled in the build-up to the controversial choice.
Nevertheless, Everton won’t be able to do much, but Richard Keys saw something else that referee Chris Kavanagh did, which was confusing to say the least.
Everton defender James Tarkowksi.
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Richard Keys said Chris Kavanagh should’ve made the penalty decision in Everton vs Leeds United not VAR
It’s only gameweek one, and Moyes is already frustrated by the outcome of yet another decision against the Blues.
Albeit the performance wasn’t the best, the Toffees deserved a draw after a much better second-half showing.
Lukas Nmecha’s penalty was the difference though, and Keys was perplexed as to why Kavanagh didn’t make the decision and VAR did.
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“There’s no way Chris Kavanagh should be allowing VAR to make that decision. He’s in charge. He should make it. It was a poor call anyway.”
From a different perspective, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville approved the decision, suggesting that Tarkowski knew what he was doing.
But the consensus should no doubt be on Kavanagh, as the official has had a nightmare in handling it.
Jeff Stelling agrees with Richard Keys saying he was ‘bewildered’ at Chris Kavanagh’s choice against Everton
With Everton looking to secure a top-half finish this season, the table after one game doesn’t reflect well so far.
It’s still early days nonetheless, but Neville believes Everton still need four signings, and Moyes will probably agree.
However, it’s hard to suggest that the Toffees deserved to lose when the penalty was the decisive factor, and speaking to talkSPORT, Jeff Stelling has agreed with Keys’ rant.
“The referee clearly did not give that penalty,” Stelling said.
“There was a pause, he put his had to his earpiece – Why did the VAR not say to him, ‘go and look at it on the monitor’.
“I was bewildered that he didn’t.”
Once again, the officials are costing Moyes and his side, as it’s sure to be the first of many wrongdoings this season.
But Moyes will know improvement is also needed, and the blame can’t always be put on things that don’t go their way.