Dermot Gallagher: 'Officials were wrong to dismiss Rodri handball'

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher claims there is "no doubt" that Everton should have been awarded a penalty against Manchester City last weekend, following Rodri's handball inside the area.

Just a few minutes after Phil Foden has put the league leaders in front at Goodison Park in the 82nd minute, Rodri appeared to use his right arm to control the ball uncontested inside the penalty box before clearing his lines.

On-field referee Paul Tierney did not see the incident but it was reviewed by VAR, who deemed that there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision, an outcome which enraged Everton supporters and Frank Lampard.

The Premier League have since released a statement agreeing with the VAR officials that there was 'no clear evidence' to award a penalty; however, Gallagher disagrees with the decision and has explained why he believes a penalty was not awarded.

"It is a penalty, no doubt. I think the VAR inspected it for too long. Paul Tierney is looking through players, he can't see the incident and Rodri is covering him. I think this should have been a VAR decision," Gallagher told Sky Sports News.

"It should've been a penalty." ✅

Dermot Gallagher says the referee should've been sent to the monitor when Rodri was deemed to commit a handball against Everton #RefWatch pic.twitter.com/Tqzlx9hAoT

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 28, 2022

"There are a couple of angles that may have affected the decision. I think the VAR focused on the first angle first and there was an element of doubt despite the second angle clearly showing it's handball.

"He got seduced by the first angle going into the second angle. We can't change the past. Most people will agree it's a penalty. I know that's not going to help Everton but we've got to learn that if one angle is inconclusive focus on the angle that is conclusive. That's the message."

Sky Sports News reports that Everton have since made an official complaint to the Premier League about decisions made by match officials.