Kieran McKenna shares what he’s been told which explains why Ipswich should have had a penalty vs Everton
Everton’s win over Ipswich Town was a simple one, however it could have been all different had VAR not intervened to overturn Michael Oliver’s initial decision.
As Jack Clarke danced into the penalty area, he collided with Dwight McNeil to send the former Sunderland man sprawling to the ground.
The referee saw fit to award a penalty, but fortunately, his decision was revoked when VAR referred him to the screen.
There, he was shown how Clarke had in fact kicked McNeil, rather than the other way around. An ironic twist of fate given how Dominic Calvert-Lewin was denied a penalty vs Newcastle United in their last Premier League match for the same reason.
Kieran McKenna, however, has been left with a sour taste in his mouth due to the result.
Kieran McKenna reacts to Ipswich penalty claim vs Everton
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, naturally, the 38-year-old was left frustrated at the key officiating flashpoint in his side’s defeat.
After all, that was really all he had to latch onto, given his side created very little aside from a few half chances in the first half.
He unsurprisingly felt that his side deserved a penalty in the first half with the scores at 1-0, claiming: ‘Jack [Clarke] rolls inside the box, he is around the penalty spot and about to shoot and Dwight McNeil lunges his leg across the line of the ball and Jack’s swing of the ball when he is about to probably score.
‘Of course he kicks Dwight McNeil, but I understand you can’t lunge across the ball like that when someone is in their backswing. I’m sure Sean will see it differently but in terms of clear and obvious unless I’m wrong I can’t see how that is clear and obvious. It’s a really debatable decision but from everything I’ve heard is that they wouldn’t go against that decision.’
Alan Shearer gave his opinion on Ipswich’s penalty claim vs Everton too.
Everton deserved all three points against Ipswich Town
Penalty or not, it’s fair to say that Everton were good value for their three points yesterday.
After all, it marked the first time this season that they have actually won a game on expected goals, marking their dominance, having forged three big chances and actually enjoyed 45% of the ball, via Sofascore.
The Tractor Boys certainly had their chances too, but only until the final ten minutes, when Everton invited pressure upon themselves as they always do, did they ever really threaten.
And even then, their three-man midfield and rock-solid back five remained unflappable.
Against the Magpies, many argued that Everton deserved a penalty themselves. Now, it feels conflicting to argue against Ipswich Town’s claim from yesterday.
