By Martin Graham
Mixed decisions in Newcastle and Chelsea drawSpurs left frustrated by Liverpool decisions
A Premier League officiating group has judged that Everton should have received a penalty in their 1-0 setback against Arsenal on 20 December. The flashpoint arrived in the 57th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium when William Saliba and Thierno Barry contested the ball inside the penalty area.
Barry reached the ball ahead of the Arsenal center-half before having his boot struck by the defender’s. The match referee, Sam Barrott, allowed play to continue. A 3-2 majority of the Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel later decided that this judgement was mistaken.
The same 3-2 margin also concluded VAR Michael Salisbury should have recommended a review at the pitchside monitor. Three panel members argued Saliba’s challenge was careless, noting no touch on the ball. Two members maintained there was insufficient force and a delayed fall to justify a foul.
Everton boss David Moyes questioned the logic of decisions across fixtures, referencing a spot-kick awarded to Fulham against Nottingham Forest two days afterward. The panel unanimously supported that ruling. Moyes said he was stunned watching that call given while his team did not receive one, adding that it feels like certain clubs benefit more often. The five-person KMI team is composed of three former players or coaches, plus one Premier League representative and one PGMOL official.
Mixed decisions in Newcastle and Chelsea draw
The group also reviewed a penalty shout in Newcastle’s 2-2 result against Chelsea on 20 December. Eddie Howe described the moment as clear-cut after Trevoh Chalobah knocked Anthony Gordon to the turf while Newcastle was ahead.
Referee Andy Madley did not point to the spot, and VAR Peter Bankes declined to intervene. The panel leaned 3-2 toward thinking a penalty should have been awarded, but the same 3-2 balance concluded it did not meet the threshold for video involvement.
Those wanting a penalty stated Chalobah made no attempt for the ball and initiated reckless shoulder, hip, and leg contact. The opposing view defended the challenge as firm but fair with both players close to the ball. Newcastle indicated plans to request clarification from officials.
Spurs left frustrated by Liverpool decisions
Tottenham’s 2-1 home defeat against Liverpool featured multiple contentious calls. Manager Thomas Frank was angered after a VAR check saw Xavi Simons dismissed for a foul on Virgil van Dijk, while he believed Hugo Ekitike’s deciding goal should have been cancelled for pushing Cristian Romero.
Both the red card and the awarded goal received unanimous backing from the panel. On Ekitike’s action, it was noted there was minimal contact and that current standards for penalising physical clashes are high.
Romero’s later dismissal for a second booking was judged correctly by a 4-1 vote. A separate incident in which Micky van de Ven attempted to stop Alexander Isak, who suffered a broken leg after scoring, did not qualify for panel assessment as it was not seen as a Key Match Incident.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
