Arsenal icon Alan Smith was shocked by how quickly the match officials checked and cleared Kai Havertz’s penalty shout against Everton.
In one of the liveliest starts the Emirates has seen in a long while, referee Andy Madley was called into action early on.
The changes Mikel Arteta made to his attack made an impact, with Havertz causing problems in the box as his teammates played with tempo.
In the 23rd minute, Havertz was slipped through by Eberechi Eze, and on his way into the box, the German tangled with Michael Keane, causing him to go down.
As the Emirates cried for a penalty, Madley waved it away, and then VAR’s check commenced, but it ended very quickly, something that shocked Alan Smith on Sky Sports’ commentary.
Alan Smith reacts to Kai Havertz’s penalty shout in Arsenal vs Everton
In real time, Havertz appeared to be caught, and further replays confirmed this, but VAR had a different view.
YES or NO: Did Kai Havertz deserve a penalty against Everton?
The decision to stand by Madley’s on-field call surprised Smith, particularly as it took those at Stockley Park no time at all to clear the check.
“There was a bit of shoving on both parts. But maybe Michael Keane does catch him. I’m amazed they’ve taken so little time,” Smith said.
He then saw another angle of the challenge, which confirmed his opinion that Keane did indeed make contact.
“It’s a foul all day long. I’m listening to the VAR trying to explain it to the referee.”
Stuart Attwell on VAR will have some questions to answer, as the challenge on Havertz looked as though it could have resulted in a penalty kick.
PGMOL release statement on denied Havertz penalty
Smith saw contact, as did those who watched the replays and surprisingly, PGMOL actually agreed.
What the match officials concluded was that, although there was contact, it was minimal and insufficient to warrant a penalty.
On the Premier League Match Centre X account, the following statement was shared:
“The referee’s call of no penalty to Arsenal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact from Keane on Havertz deemed to be minimal.”
The decision will split opinion, which was the case when the Gunners and the Toffees last clashed, when Everton were wrongly denied a penalty at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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