“They were robbed” “Chelsea deserve a penalty” – Former EPL referee reveals why Chelsea should have had a penalty against Everton
Dermot Gallagher, a former Premier League referee, has been talking about one incident from Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Everton over the weekend.
Chelsea was prevented from temporarily taking the top spot in the Premier League table by Everton’s ability to shut them out.
Prior to their 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, the visitors would have passed Liverpool with a victory at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche thinks Everton could have snatched all three points, but Gallagher is adamant that Chelsea should have actually been awarded a penalty.
Dermot Gallagher thinks Jordan Pickford should have been penalised
There was one moment in the game where Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford flew into a challenge with Malo Gusto.
Gusto did not make much of it and still managed to get his shot away in the end, but Gallagher felt it was worthy of a penalty and yellow card.
Speaking about the incident on Sky Sports, the former referee said: “I only speak for myself, but if I’d seen that like that, I think it’s a penalty. Like what Sue [Smith] said, minimum penalty, yellow card. I don’t think it’s a red card because I don’t think he really goes through him.”
Had Chris Kavanagh given the Blues the spot-kick and Nicolas Jackson been more clinical on the day, it could have been a completely different game. Jackson was far from his best against Everton, missing a couple of big chances.
Jordan Pickford fortunate
On another day, Pickford could have easily given away a penalty and even been sent off. Had Gusto made a meal of his tackle, he probably would have been in a lot more trouble.
It would have been their fourth spot-kick of the season, with Enzo Maresca‘s men having earned three so far. Only Liverpool (four) and Bournemouth (six) have been awarded more in the current Premier League campaign.
Last term, Chelsea received 12, which was the most in the division. Cole Palmer converted the 11 that he took, while Enzo Fernandez missed one.
Both players went into the Everton game in form, but neither could really trouble Pickford in front of goal. But for some, the England international should not have even finished the match.