'Take another look' - Keith Hackett unhappy after re-analysing Everton-Brighton controversy
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Football
Harri Burton
Mon 25 August 2025 17:25, UK
Stuart Attwell too easily passed on the responsibility to VAR after Everton conceded a late penalty to Brighton, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the referee should have used the pitch-side monitor to inspect the handball decision against Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall instead.
Thanks to goals from Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner, David Moyes‘ side had a two-goal lead when the midfielder was harshly punished for blocking a shot, which struck his arm on the way to goal.
In the 77th minute, Danny Welbeck then stepped up to take the spot-kick, seeing his effort saved by Jordan Pickford, with many football fans suggesting that karma had been an influence on Sunday, 24 August.
This article contains exclusive comments from ex-PGMOL chief, FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.
After awarding the penalty, Attwell listened at length to the VAR officials at Stockley Park, who watched replays of the incident, before not giving a reason for the penalty not to be given in the Seagulls’ 2-1 defeat.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
James Tarkowski was punished against Leeds United for a similar decision, which saw the Toffees lose their opening game of the 2025/26 campaign, but Pickford was there to save the day this time.
Following both instances, Hackett is eager for referees to take more control of the situation, choosing to go over to the pitch-side monitor for a second view instead of trusting a different opinion.
Luckily for the Toffees, the controversial decision did little to mess with their historical afternoon at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Moyes’ side rising to eighth in the Premier League table.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I’m one who wants the referee to make the big calls.
I want to see the criteria for a penalty being met.
Stuart Attwell handed Brighton a lifeline from the penalty spot.
It wasn’t a penalty kick.
“Assess the decision.
I would have liked the referee to go over to the pitch-side monitor, but referees are happy for VAR to sort it out.”
Related Posts