Everton battled to a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in their final clash with The Gunners at Goodison Park, but it was steeped in controversy.
Leandro Trossard gave the visitors the lead before half-time after Everton were dispossessed easily, but the hosts equalised at the start of the second half.
Winger Jack Harrison engaged in a duel with Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, and went down as he headed into the penalty area, with referee Darren England then pointing to the spot.
Iliman Ndiaye equalised from the spot, and Everton battled to earn a point, but the penalty decision has now been slammed.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker slam Everton penalty v Arsenal
Former England striker Alan Shearer has now slammed the decision to award Everton a penalty for the alleged foul on Harrison, deeming it soft.
“I think it’s very, very soft,” Shearer stated on Match of the Day.
“I think either way you look at it, it’s not enough for me I think. They’re not going to overturn it. There is a little bit of contact, when he (Lewis-Skelly) falls over, but it’s not a pen for me. I think it’s very, very harsh.”
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Emirates Stadium 0-0 Goodison Park 1-1 Everton’s results against Arsenal this season
Gary Lineker then criticised the fact that VAR did not overturn the decision to deny Everton the penalty.
“This is why VAR can never work in the current format, because you’ve got to decide whether it’s enough of a foul, which makes no sense whatsoever,” Lineker pointed out.
Everton earn points against Arsenal
The draw meant that Everton avoided defeat against Arsenal for the whole season, having drawn 0-0 at the Emirates in December.
This is a welcome change for the Toffees from last season, in which Arsenal won 1-0 at Goodison Park and 2-1 at the Emirates, and Everton have now returned to making life difficult for Mikel Arteta.
Former Everton midfielder Arteta has been in charge at Arsenal since 2019, but in that time they have recorded just one win at Goodison Park.
Saturday’s draw saw both teams play with little jeopardy. Arsenal’s full focus is on the Champions League, while Everton are well clear of the relegation zone, but the Toffees will be happy that they avoided defeat in another big game as they bid farewell to Goodison Park this season.
Lineker and Shearer furious at Everton v Arsenal incident as MOTD show clip
