Leeds United claimed a victory in the opening Premier League match of the season as they defeated Everton 1-0 at Erndo Road thanks to a controversial, slow penalty from Lucas Numeka.
As Leeds won the Premier League, Lucas Nmeka converted a controversial, slow penalty.
Nmecha was hit in his debut after Everton captain James Tarkowski was determined to have been dealt with by referee Chris Kabana. His decision was lean as he was baked by Val and Tarkowski worked against him with Anton Stouch’s tamping shot.
David Moys made his feelings clear after the match, and Scott said:
“I think it’s a really bad decision. VAR had the opportunity to put it back on. They said he was leaning against the ball.
Moys admitted to speaking with post-game officials, adding that “the judges haven’t had a great weekend.”
read more: Gary Neville gets caught up in Sky Sports “Hot Microphone” and says what he really thinks about Leeds fansread more: Leeds rules Everton, but will need a controversial penalty to ruin Jack Graele’s debut
However, Moyes’ verdict was not universally agreed. In fact, experts from Sky Sports and BBC Sports had very different views on this decision.
“He sees it coming, he’s off and lying down – if it comes from 15 yards away, you don’t have a foot that’s not standing in terms of it being a penalty,” Gary Neville said in football Monday night.
“The feeling of guilt was written all over Tarkowski’s face. He knows it’s a penalty. Tarkowski moves his arm towards the ball. He leaned over it and blocked it. It’s a penalty and he knows what it did.
Jamie Carrager also claimed it was a spot kick. He said: “I think that’s the case. I think he (Talkovsky) knows what he’s doing. That’s what I do. Did he lose his bearings? It’s a momentary decision. I think it’s definitely a penalty.
“The judge was 100% unsure. He was communicating with his assistant and needed help. I think the judge thought it was a penalty. He coached and watched the assistant.
“Thanks to VAR, we are in that position where officials have to make decisions, then VAR gets involved, and that was like an old-fashioned decision.
On his side, Tarkowski was heading for the Sky Sports camera and wasn’t satisfied that the assistant referee had called first.
“My first question for him is, if my arm is on my side, is that a penalty? He said no. And ever since, I’ve been leaning against the ball. Nothing can make my arm hit my arm.
“The lineman obviously gave it. He was 45 yards away so I don’t know how I can see what I did with my arm from an angle.”
Speaking about BBC Radio 5 Live, Chris Sutton sympathizes with Tarkoswki and claims that the decision is “scandal.”
“That’s not a penalty,” Sutton said. “That’s definitely not a penalty. I know what the command is, but his arm is down to his side. I think it’s a scandal. I don’t think it’s a penalty. I think the command is really, really tough.”
Former Everton, wolves and British defender Connor Cody also agreed with Tarkowski and Toffee boss David Moe. He said: “I don’t like it. I don’t like the rules – I don’t know what’s not handball these days.”
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