Thomas Partey could have been punished v Everton [Credit: Arsenal YouTube]

HomeExclusives Sat 14 December 2024 19:10, UK

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey should have been punished for simulation against Everton, Keith Hackett has said.

The Gunners desperately called for a penalty late on in the 0-0 draw at The Emirates on 14 December, but those were waved away immediately after a good challenge by Vitalii Mykolenko.

Hackett admitted that Partey was trying to deceive the officials, without success.

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, the ex-PGMOL chief was happy with the decision but shared a missed opportunity for authority.

"The referee got this spot on - not a penalty kick," he said.

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"The Arsenal player going down trying to deceive the referee.

Arsenal controversy v Everton "There was the opportunity for the referee to underpin his decision by issuing a yellow card to the Arsenal player for an act of simulation."

Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko [Credit: Imago] Mykolenko was superb against the likes of Bukayo Saka, who hardly had a sniff at The Emirates thanks to the Ukranian and his work off the ball.

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Even when he was being outnumbered, he still stepped in at crucial times like this incident with Partey, where he clearly won the ball in the dying moments.

Sean Dyche will be delighted with a point, with the Toffees three points above the relegation zone and Ipswich with a game-in-hand still to be played against Liverpool.

Mike Dean, another former high-profile referee, agreed with Hackett that this was never a penalty, and Everton can move on with a cracking clean sheet under their belts.

In other Everton news, Tim Sherwood is mesmerised by what one Toffees star did against Bukayo Saka.

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