James Tarkowski and David Moyes react to the controversial penalty decision in Everton’s defeat to Leeds on Monday night.
On 82 minutes, Anton Stach struck a shot towards goal and it came back off James Tarkowski, the referee deemed it handball and pointed to the spot!
The Premier League Match Centre tweeted: The referee’s call of penalty for handball by Tarkowski was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that he leaned into the ball with his arm.
While fans debated the controversial penalty, some turned their attention to online gaming options, highlighting platforms like curacao online casinos for international players.
Everton defender James Tarkowski, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “Not a penalty. As soon as the ref blew I was pretty confident it would be overturned. My question to him was ‘if my arm is by my side, was it a penalty’ and he said ‘no’.
“I’ve since read that I’ve leaned into the ball. I can’t understand it. The linesman gave it and he was 45 yards away so I don’t understand how he can see what I’ve done with my arm from that angle.
“It’s a bizarre moment and it cost us a point. I’m moving across, a lot of bodies in front of me, it takes a deflection, I see it at the last second and I’m allowed to move my body into the ball. My arm is by my side so I don’t think it was a penalty.
“We knew in the first 15 minutes we would have to weather the storm, but it ended up being the full first half. In the second half we played a lot better and without creating chances we were in the game. I didn’t really feel they would score a goal until the penalty. We need players through the door as we’ve lost a few in the summer.”
Everton manager David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “Leeds were better than us on the night but in the second half we might’ve had a chance.
“The goal is completely wrong, really harsh and it’s difficult to lose to that. I’ve been in and spoken to the referee. They seem to think he was leaning. You’re allowed to lean in football. It took a deflection and I don’t know, did Tarky have to get his arm chopped off? He leaned across.
“It has not been a good weekend. Tonight that was a poor decision. VAR had a chance to get it right and fair, but I feel it was not fair. The crowd probably were the ones that were a bit intimidating but I can’t see them intimidating the VAR people. It was a very good crowd for Leeds United.
“We can’t do anything about it but it was a poor decision. We’ve lost a couple of important players but I’m not using it as any excuse and other teams will have injuries, unfortunately we’ve picked up a couple. If anyone was about to score [at the end] it was likely to be us.”
On potential signings in the rest of the transfer window: “I’m confident we will get something.”
Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live: “That’s not a penalty. That’s absolutely not a penalty. Who knows what the directive is, but his arm is down by his side.
“We’ll hear David Moyes after – but that’s a scandal, I think. That’s never a penalty.
“With the way the directive is I think that is really, really harsh.”
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football: “I think it is [handball]. Tarkowski knows what he’s doing and it’s something I would do.
“The only thing I’m thinking is has he lost his bearings? He is in the middle of the box, but it’s a split-second decision. It takes a late deflection and maybe it’s just reflexes.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville on Monday Night Football: “I think it’s definitely a penalty.
“Tarkowski is the type of defender that feels he needs to get in front of every single shot and what I mean is that maybe he could’ve composed himself, let the ball go through to Pickford who would’ve saved it.
“The guilt written all over his face, Tarkowski knows it’s a penalty. He’s blocked it from such a distance.”
Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to BBC: “I’m really disappointed and unless you cut the boys hand off, I don’t know where he goes. I don’t know if the crowd plays a part in it. They got right behind their team and they played well and probably deserved the victory in fairness.
“I think it’s a really poor decision. VAR had a chance to undo it. They tried to say he was leaning to the ball. Surely you’re allowed to lean with your hands by your sides.
On the referees: “They were supposed to be quite fair to them but I think that’s a really bad one for us. The referees haven’t had a great weekend.
“Leeds came out the blocks and we expected it. We changed at half-time and we were much better in the second half and if any team was going to win it, I thought it would be us.”
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking to Sky Sports about Leeds’ penalty decision: “I have not watched it back – on the field it felt like it was a penalty. I was a bit worried as it was checked quite long.
“Thank god it stood. I have to watch it back to judge it properly. “
On Lukas Nmecha: “The first two or three touches of Lukas were not spot on. I was a bit worried. The first touches were not great. I was thinking about saying, ‘today, perhaps is not the day to take’. He was ice-cold and calm. He is a top guy and a really good finisher.”
On the Leeds United fans: “Of course, for newly promoted sides it has to become a fortress. I am quite humble and grateful that we are able to celebrate.
“It is great to see the joy and pride in their eyes. It is great to give the supporters who are so emotional and care so much about their amazing club. Grateful that you can help a little bit and give them this experience.
On more transfer window action: “In the offence would be good to have a few more options available.
“To be ready for a long Premier League season we definitely need a bit more quality up front.
“At this level, you know bringing players in who improve our squad is costly. Thank god we have ambitious owners.
“We won’t do anything stupid. It is not about the sum of money – you have to spend it wisely.”
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC: “We are happy and grateful we are allowed to present our supporters who had to suffer a lot over the years. It was a really magic night. It was special and a really good day for us.
“Top performance. We were dominant in the first first half and had 12 shots. That is outstanding for a newly promoted side. I was bit worried because we were so dominant and normally you score. It can be costly when you don’t take your opportunities. Lukas Nmencha took his opportunity. It was hard fought I think is the word.
On the penalty: “I haven’t seen it back on telly. During the game I got the feeling it was a penalty. There was an emotional influence by the roar of the home crowd. I was a bit worried the check was so long but if the check takes that long then surely you can’t overturn it. I haven’t seen it back so I can’t judge it. I hope the referee was right.
On Nmecha taking the penalty: “I was bit worried because I don’t like a player who is just in the game to take them but he is such a good penalty taker. I didn’t want to stop him. Calm yourself down and he will do the job. He has suffered a bit in the last years but he came up with the decisive goal.
“There are games where you are struggling more an these are vital too. A good start is always crucial. The first win out of the way, the first clean sheet. We have to carry on and win many more points.”
“He was ice cold and calm” 🥶
Daniel Farke said he is glad match-winner Lukas Nmecha is in the spotlight 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ruITMCdbUm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2025
Leeds match winner Lukas Nmecha, speaking to BBC: “Amazing. I’m really happy. It was a great first game.
On penalty: “I was mainly hoping it would be given. I was quite calm, I took my breath. I decide before the games where I’d go and yes, I put it there.
“There’s always disappointment when you sit on the bench for th first game. It was a good pre-season but I’m happy to score.
“We can achieve more than what people think. we play good football and control the game. games like next week, we won’t have as much control. we’ll have to dig in.
“Every point counts and wherever we can get a win, we’ll take it.”
Twitter users gave their thought as James Tarkowski and David Moyes react to the controversial penalty decision…
@2FPLGurus: He moved his arm to the ball. Just because it was by his body doesn’t change that. The old “ball to hand” wasn’t the case here because he moved his arm to the ball
@A_Pembo1982: He didn’t move his arm to the ball. He moved his body towards the ball because he’s a defender. His arm was behind his back.
@LionsAvfc: Hard to argue with Moyes
@smith_ingham: Tarkowski knew exactly what he was doing. He leant into the ball which in turn moves his arm towards the ball and stops a goalbound should with his arm. If not given on field VAR might not have given it but as given on field it wasn’t a clear & obvious error.
@liamdano: He leant with his body whilst moving his arm behind his back seriously dangerous precedent set for the rest of the season if that’s what we’re giving penalties for 👍
@PhilBirdBFC: Might see 500 handball penalties this season!
@AnthonyM91: the same linesman that couldn’t spot a ball being two yard off the pitch for a corner btw.
@d_andradesport: No way he leaned into the ball. If you watch he actually tried to move his arm behind his back in such an unnatural position because he’s so scared of these silly pens being given, and he’s been punished. Really harsh in my opinion. Low bar handball pens are back! 😅
@DanMc1878: Ahahahahaha the linesman giving it makes it even funnier
The linesman who said this was still in play 🙄 pic.twitter.com/xH3oUWfJMq
— Bobby Baccavieri (@BobbyBaccavieri) August 18, 2025
What’s this then? https://t.co/Q8LzXRso5L pic.twitter.com/uBsCUvVCNV
— tylerdownton (@tylerdownton6) August 18, 2025
You must be logged in to post a comment Login