Sky Sports and BBC pundits respond to Leeds vs Everton controversy: 'A scandal'

Lukas Nmecha converted a controversial late penalty as Leeds made a winning return to the Premier League, as Everton were left absolutely furious.

Nmecha struck on his debut after Everton captain James Tarkowski was adjudged to have handled by referee Chris Kavanagh. His decision was baced up by VAR, with Tarkowski’s lean as he blocked Anton Stach’s thumping shot working against him.

David Moyes made his feelings clear post-match, the Scot stating: "I'm really disappointed and unless you cut the boys hand off, I don't know where he goes. I don't know if the crowd plays a part in it. They got right behind their team and they played well and probably deserved the victory in fairness.

"I think it's a really poor decision. VAR had a chance to undo it. They tried to say he was leaning to the ball. Surely you're allowed to lean with your hands by your sides!”

Moyes, who admitted he had spoken to the officials post-game, added: “The referees haven't had a great weekend.”

READ MORE: Gary Neville caught on Sky Sports 'hot mic' saying what he really thinks about Leeds fans

READ MORE: Leeds dominate Everton but require controversial penalty to spoil Jack Grealish debut

But Moyes' verdict wasn't universally agreed with. Indeed, pundits from Sky Sports and BBC Sport had very different views on the decision.

“He sees it coming, he gets down, leans across - if it comes from 15 yards away, you’ve not got a leg to stand on with regards it being a penalty,” said Gary Neville on Monday Night Football.

"The guilt was written all over Tarkowski's face. He knows it is a penalty. Tarkowski moved his arm towards the ball. He leans into it and he blocks it. It is a penalty, and he knows what he has done. He knows it is a penalty. He knows that he has made a mistake."

Jamie Carragher also insisted it was a spot-kick. He said: "I think it is. I think he [Tarkowski] knows what he is doing. It is something I would do. Has he lost his bearings? It is a split second decision. I think it is definitely a penalty.

"The referee wasn’t 100 percent sure. He was in communication with his assistant and he needed help. I think the referee thought it was a penalty. He looked at his assistant for guidance.

"Because of VAR, we are in that position where officials have to give the decision and then VAR gets involved. It was like an old-fashioned decision. There was no way that was getting overturned."

For his part, Tarkowski fronted up to the Sky Sports cameras and wasn't happy that the assistant referee had initially made the call, declaring: "That's not a penalty. As soon as the referee gave it I was pretty confident about it being overturned.

"My first question to him was, if my arm is by my side, which it was, is it a penalty? To which he said no. And then it's since been that I leaned into the ball. There's nothing unnatural about my arm being by my side. The ball's allowed to hit your arm, as long as it's not away from your body unnaturally, which it wasn't so - I can't understand it really.

"The linesman gave it apparently. He was 45 yards away and I don't understand how can he see what I've done with my arm from the angle."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Chris Sutton had sympathy with Tarkoswki and insisted the decision was “a scandal”.

“That's not a penalty," said Sutton. "That's absolutely not a penalty. Who knows what the directive is, but his arm is down by his side. That's a scandal, I think. That's never a penalty. With the way the directive is I think that is really, really harsh.”

Former Everton, Wolves and England defender Conor Coady was also in agreement with Tarkowski and Toffees boss David Moyes. He said: “I don't like it. I don't like the rule - I don't know what is and isn't handball these days.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.