What The Papers Say - 29 December

Discussions have continued in the media regarding the controversial moment Amadou Onana was penalised for handball in Wednesday’s loss to Manchester City.

The ball struck the Belgian midfielder from point-blank range and a crucial spot-kick was awarded to the visitors, with Julian Alvarez squeezing past Jordan Pickford from 12 yards to put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead.

Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher analysed the decision on Sky Sports News’ ’Ref Watch’, claiming that similar incidents result in penalties in the modern-era of the game, but in no way was Onana’s actions deliberate and he believes changes could be made to the rules due to ongoing issues.

“I think it’s a modern-day penalty,” he said. “If you see this kind of thing happen, the directive is, is the ball striking an arm above the shoulder or the head? It’s that high. The argument is, is it too close? Has he got time to react? But the minute I saw the replay I just said this is going to be given, there’s no doubt about that.

”I think he [Sean Dyche] makes lots and lots of good points (regarding clarity from what is deemed a penalty and not), but, unfortunately, it’s a problem created for the referees.

“Offside was the big talking point but now it’s handball which they’ve tried to make it so precise. Is the arm in this position? Is the arm above the head, or is it above the shoulder? Has it come this far?

”I think by trying to make it so precise it’s made it more complicated for the referees and they’ve actually become the victims of this directive and because of that I think whilst it is like it is then penalties are always going to be given. 

“One of my friends spoke to me earlier and said the time that [Nathan Ake’s shot] travelled was 0.2 seconds, the time the player [Onana] would react in his brain to that ball travelling his 1.1 seconds, so he has no chance.

”Sean [Dyche] says there that it wasn’t deliberate. I get that, it wasn’t. There’s no way it was deliberate. But deliberate isn’t written in the law, and 90 per cent of penalties that are given for handball are not deliberate anyhow.

“I think it’s inevitable that come March’s meeting [IFAB Annual General Meeting] that something will get tweaked, because it’s just week after week after week, we’re talking about a similar subject.

”We look at similar incidents and by and large, you’re getting penalties. There’s been a lot more penalties given for handball than ever before"

Wednesday’s defeat was the first time since August that the Blues have suffered consecutive league losses, but talkSPORT pundit, Jamie O’Hara is confident that Dyche’s side will regain their form. 

Speaking on the radio on Thursday evening, he said: “I thought Everton were good in the first half [against Manchester City], I thought they played really well. I really like Dwight McNeil at the moment, he’s playing some good football, Jack Harrison as well. 

“I think Everton are going to be fine, you’re playing against Manchester City it’s just a free hit they came out in the second half and showed their dominance and just how good they are.”