Everton deserved penalty against Arsenal – Panel

Everton should have been awarded a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on December 20, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel has said.

The incident happened in the 57th minute at Hill Dickinson Stadium when Arsenal defender William Saliba and Everton striker Thierno Barry clashed inside the box. Barry got to the ball first, but Saliba kicked his boot.

The five-member KMI Panel, which includes former players, coaches, and league officials, voted 3-2 that referee Sam Barrott made the wrong call by not awarding a penalty. They also said VAR Michael Salisbury should have asked the referee to review the incident.

Three panel members said Saliba “carelessly kicks Barry with no contact on the ball” and called it a clear error. Two others supported the no-penalty decision, saying the impact was minor and the reaction delayed.

Everton manager David Moyes expressed frustration, pointing to a similar penalty given to Fulham against Nottingham Forest two days later. “It feels as though certain clubs get those decisions and other clubs don’t,” he said.