![\"Shay](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Newcastle-United-FC-v-FC-Barcelona-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-League-Phase-MD1.jpg\")
Shay Given has passed comment on the penalty drama in Everton vs Arsenal(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\nArsenal’s Premier League win at Everton was a tale of two penalties, with one awarded to the league leaders and one denied to their mid-table opponents at Hill Dickinson StadiumShay Given has passed comment on the penalty drama in Everton vs Arsenal(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Pundit and former Premier League<\/a> star Shay Given was left baffled by the decision to deny Everton<\/a> a penalty against Arsenal<\/a>. Gunners defender William Saliba<\/a> caught Everton striker Thierno Barry as he attempted to clear the ball, but the challenge wasn’t determined to be enough for referee Sam Barrott to point to the spot<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The referee\u2019s call of no penalty to Everton was checked and confirmed by VAR \u2013 with it deemed the contact from Saliba on Barry wasn\u2019t sufficient for a penalty,” the Premier League<\/a> Match Centre account posted on social media. Given, however, saw things rather differently.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s a lot more than significant contact in this, I\u2019m really strong on this here,” former Ireland keeper Given said on Match of the Day<\/a>. “People will argue it\u2019s not a penalty but Barry gets the ball before Saliba and for me it\u2019s a clear penalty.<\/p>\n “I maybe don\u2019t understand the laws of the game any more but this is a clear penalty. Barry gets the ball, Saliba kicks through the back of his foot, and for me there\u2019s plenty of significance in that. “<\/p>\n He added: “I don\u2019t think it\u2019s an actual difficult decision, I really don\u2019t. Sam Barrott, the referee, said no, but I do believe the VAR should have said to Sam \u2018At least come and have a look at this\u2019. For me that\u2019s a penalty all day long.”<\/p>\n READ MORE: All the times Arsenal failed to win the Premier League title after being top at Christmas<\/a>READ MORE: David Moyes pays ultimate Declan Rice tribute but refuses to take credit for star’s rise<\/a><\/p>\n At the time of the contentious call, Arsenal led 1-0 through a penalty of their own. Jake O’Brien handled in the Everton box and Viktor Gyokeres stepped up to score what proved to be the only goal of the game.<\/p>\n Arsenal’s victory saw them reclaim top spot after rivals Manchester City<\/a> beat West Ham<\/a> earlier on Saturday. Everton’s defeat left them 10th at the end of Saturday’s action, and manager David Moyes was none too happy<\/a> after his team were denied a chance to equalise from 12 yards – with Barry also having an earlier appeal waved away after a challenge from Martin Zubimendi.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to [tell you about the discussion with the referee] but I\u2019d probably be fined. You need to find a way so we can talk about the referees or don\u2019t bother asking me,” Moyes told Sky Sports<\/a> after his team’s loss.<\/p>\n “A lot of things didn\u2019t quite suit and go our way. There were quite a few people going down and the referee was blowing up for them. It\u2019s a different football club here. We play tough and we expect the referee\u2019s to do the same.”<\/p>\n HAVE YOUR SAY! Who has been Arsenal\u2019s best player over the course of 2025? Vote in our official Mirror Arsenal WhatsApp channel<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Everton's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_Everton-v-Arsenal-Premier-League-Hill-Dickinson-Stadium.jpg\")
Thierno Barry saw more than one penalty appeal knocked back(Image: PA)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1765413370_828_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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