Dermot Gallagher has moved to explain why some of the key decisions were made during the 1-1 draw between Everton and Tottenham at Goodison Park yesterday (Sunday).
The two sides shared the spoils on Merseyside in an action-packed clash, which was marred by a serious injury to Everton midfielder Andre Gomes.
Tottenham's Son Heung-min was sent off for his foul on Gomes, and there was a decision reviewed late on by the video assistant referee Anthony Taylor over a potential red card for Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez, after he was dispossessed by Richarlison late on.
But the former Premier League referee said he felt there was enough doubt for Sanchez not to be sent off, despite being the last man.
“I think this all depends on whether he kicks the player or not," Gallagher said, speaking as part of Sky Sports' Ref Watch feature.
"I think there is enough doubt that he has air kicked, I’m not sure if he catches him or not. If he does catch him and the referee thinks it is a foul, then he’s going to give the red card. It all depends how far the ball runs.”
Several other decisions were reviewed by VAR, including a penalty appeal for Spurs when Son went down in the box under a challenge from Yerry Mina, with referee Martin Atkinson waving away the protests from the visitors.
His decision was reviewed by video assistant referee Taylor, with a lengthy delay ensuing, only for the original decision to stand.
But Gallagher said he could understand the reasons for the delay.
"I don’t think it’s a penalty first of all, he has the opportunity to shoot, it’s minimal contact and not enough for a penalty," he said.
"What happens, when it was cleared by Anthony Taylor, suddenly an angle came in from behind the goal which he felt he had to look at and he asked Martin to delay.
“I think all the angles were there and then suddenly this angle appeared, without doubt, you’re never going to clear it off without looking at it. I have to side with Anthony Taylor, if I was in that position I’d have said ‘Martin, hang on, we just need to check this for you’.”
Mina was also involved in a penalty appeal at the other end when he challenged Dele Alli in the air, with the ball appearing to strike the Spurs midfielder on the arm.
No penalty was awarded, despite it being reviewed by VAR, and Gallagher has also given his view on that incident.
