Everton did not make a “huge mistake” in the first half of their Premier League match against Luton Town, according to Jamie Carragher.
Sean Dyche’s team extended their recent great league form with a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road on Friday (3 May), as Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first-half penalty was cancelled out by Elijah Adebayo’s stunning effort.
While the decision to give the second penalty kick was obvious, several Toffees fans believed the Blues deserved an earlier penalty after Dwight McNeil was hauled down in the penalty area, but Carragher was less convinced.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event (3 May, 20:16) he said: “It’s one of those decisions where had the referee given a penalty VAR wouldn’t have overturned it, but it’s not a huge mistake.
“I mean VAR said minimal contact and you can just see that on the boot there. Once the referee hasn’t given it, as frustrated as you’ll be as an Evertonian, that’s just the way that VAR works right now.”
Should Dwight McNeil and Everton have been awarded a penalty against Luton Town?
It seems strange that McNeil was not given a penalty for this incident in the first half because James Garner was booked for an absolutely identical challenge on Taith Chong just a few minutes before.
There is no consistency in Premier League refereeing decisions, which should come as no surprise given the controversy against Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park.
If the spot-kick had been awarded, the game at Kenilworth Road could have been decided completely differently. It might have been a little soft, but penalties like that are handed out on a weekly basis in the Premier League.
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