Exclusive: Everton penalty verdict issued after key incident vs Crystal Palace
Everton would likely have been awarded a penalty had Charly Alcaraz not scored their winning goal against Crystal Palace, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that referee Anthony Taylor did well to let the passage of play conclude, rather than immediately blowing to award a spot-kick.
January signing Alcaraz enjoyed a successful first start for Everton against Crystal Palace on Saturday (15 February), setting up Beto to open the scoring before netting the winner himself.
However, even if the Argentine had not found the net himself, it appears the Toffees would still have had the chance to score the winner in that match from the spot.
Everton make penalty claim seconds before Charly Alcaraz winner
Having led 1-0 at half-time in that match, Everton found themselves pegged back just after the re-start, when Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised for Crystal Palace after a long VAR check.
However, the Toffees were able to get back in front at Selhurst Park with just ten minutes of normal time remaining in the game.
As Jack Harrison fired a deep cross into the penalty area, Jake O’Brien looked to head the ball back across goal, only for it to hit the outstretched arm of Crystal Palace defender Ben Chilwell.
While some Everton players appealed for a penalty, the ball bounced to Alcaraz via another blocked shot, with the attacking midfielder firing in to make it 2-1.
Hackett, has now suggested that a spot kick would have been awarded had the goal not gone, again praising referee Anthony Taylor, having already done so for his management of that clash between Crystal Palace and Everton.
Keith Hackett issues penalty confirmation over late winner
When asked if the Toffees would have been given a penalty had Alcaraz not scored anyway, the former referee told Football Insider:
“Yes. I think it’s an interesting decision. Had they missed they’d have gone back and reviewed it, I’m certain of that.
“So I think here, we’ve seen on one or two occasions, I think being encouraged rightly to hold back on the whistle, see what the outcome is, and in that situation, that for me is good refereeing.
“It’s like a referee who applies an advantage, and I did think that aspect of it is good.”
Following that win, Everton are now 13 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, and only behind Crystal Palace in the table on goal difference.
