Controversy has clouded Leeds United’s return to the Premier League as Daniel Farke’s men secured a 1-0 victory over Everton, even though Leeds thoroughly deserved to win.
David Moyes admitted Leeds were the better side and yet, all the talk following the game has been if the penalty was rightly awarded to Farke’s side. Lukas Nmecha stepped up to score after coming on as a sub.
Leeds dominated the first half with 12 attempts at goal compared to Everton’s 0. The Toffees improved in the second half but Leeds looked more potent in attack and so it proved, as Farke’s men secured a win.
Anton Stach’s deflected shot hit a leaning James Tarkowski. The ball struck his arm which was in a natural position but because he was leaning towards the ball, it is almost as if Tarkowski made a goalkeeper save.
Alan Shearer on punditry duty as Newcastle take on Man United.
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Alan Shearer weighs in on Leeds United controversy on Tuesday
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher believe it was a penalty and the right decision was made, but it is a talking point. On The Rest Is Football, Alan Shearer discussed it with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.
Shearer was staunch in his opinion, stating that the handball law is a “shambles”. He felt sympathy for Tarkowski and praised the Everton man for his “articulate” post-match comments, following the penalty.
Tarkowski was articulate after the game. He said if I don’t move and it strikes me on the arm, it’s not a penalty because my arm is in a natural position. He said, because I’ve leaned and it’s taken a deflection.
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“He said since when has leaning been a punishable defence. It’s down by his side, the handball law is a shambles. They have tried so many things, it hasn’t worked. It’s simple, deliberate or not? Simple as that.”
Richards began the episode by singing Marching on Together, but then gave his verdict on the penalty and believes the wrong call was made, like Shearer. He thinks the Elland Road crowd affected the ref.
“Nonsense, everything you said Alan. It’s not a penalty, if you’re giving that as a penalty, you’re giving penalties every single week. If the ball is coming to you, you have to lean; his arm is in a natural position.
Micah Richards on Champions League punditry duty.
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“I agree that it’s hard for referees and he took a fraction longer because he was thinking about it. Maybe the crowd had something to do with it. I don’t blame the referee. But that cannot be a handball,” he said.
Leeds, though, won the game. Farke’s men face two incredibly difficult games up next, with a trip to The Emirates coming on Saturday evening, and then a return to Elland Road to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.