'The minute I saw it' - Dermot Gallagher makes Everton penalty claim after Mark Clattenberg criticism
Dermot Gallagher believes Manchester City were awarded a "modern-day penalty" after Everton midfielder Amadou Onana was penalised.
The incident tipped the encounter in favour of Pep Guardiola's side as Julian Alvarez stepped up to send City into the lead, before they rounded off the scoring in a 3-1 win.
John Brooks awarded a penalty after Onana was adjudged to have handled Manuel Akanji's effort from close-range. The Belgian international was sliding to block the follow-up after Phil Foden was initially denied from a City corner.
Onana leaves Everton wanting more as strange chants hide Jordan Pickford truth
James Garner frustrated by refereeing decisions and Man City goal Everton 'knew was coming'
After seeing the incident, Gallagher had no doubt that a penalty would be given. He told Sky Sports: "I think it's a modern-day penalty, isn't it?
"If you see this kind of thing happen, the directive is 'is the ball striking the arm above the shoulder or the head?' It's that high, the argument is, is it too close? The minute I saw the replay, I just said this is going to given, there's no doubt about that.
"The referee give it on field because of the assistant's direction, it goes to VAR for checking but it is never going to be overturned."
The incident has brought the handball rule further into disrepute after a series of decisions which have sparked debate around the Premier League.
There was an instance between Everton and City when Rodri controlled the ball with his arm in February 2022, which went unpunished by the VAR officials.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenberg argued that the decision to penalise Onana demonstrates the need for a change to the handball law.
"It certainly changed the game. It was a big
Read on liverpoolecho.co.uk
