Ex-Premier League referee gives verdict on Gabriel Martinelli's disallowed goal vs Everton
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has delivered his verdict on Gabriel Martinelli's disallowed goal during Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Everton. The Brazilian international thought he had broken the deadlock at Goodison Park after just 19 minutes when he slotted the ball past the onrushing Jordan Pickford.
But VAR eventually disallowed the goal after Eddie Nketiah was adjudged to have been offside during the build-up, with the ball bouncing at his feet after Gabriel Magalhaes' pass deflected off Toffees' frontman Beto. Now, ex-Premier League official Gallagher has claimed that it was the right call, explaining that Beto's deflection is irrelevant considering the former Udinese striker didn't intend for the ball to go where it did.
Speaking about the incident, Gallagher told Sky Sports: «I think it's a good call by the assistant because Nketiah is in an offside position. Starts in an offside position, he goes back as Gabriel plays the ball, it strikes Beto.
»I don't think there's any way you could say he would kick the ball back like that. So, therefore, he's in an offside potion and it goes to Martinelli, who scored."
When asked if it hinges on Beto, he added: «Yes, if you look at Beto, he's got to close him down. We had one similar last season with James Milner and the Everton Liverpool game. It struck Milner who was trying to block a cross and you see Beto there.
»He's trying to block that ball off, it flies off his shin because it's played at speed, it goes to Nketiah. You can see he's offside. I think good call.
«He deflects the ball and that's the difference.»
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