Everton handed new referee verdict over Iliman Ndiaye booking and Brighton penalty complaints
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has given his view on Iliman Ndiaye's booking for Everton on Saturday. The forward was cautioned after mimicking a seagull after scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Senegal international's penalty was ultimately the difference between the two sides as Everton dug in for a 1-0 victory.
Ndiaye caused a stir with the home supporters after netting, though, as he pointed to his ear and then followed up with a flapping wings gesture, seemingly in reference to Brighton's nickname - the Seagulls.
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The Everton man was then yellow-carded by referee Tim Robinson, much to the amazement of a number of Everton supporters. Gallagher was asked to explain the law over the incidents on Sky Sports' Ref Watch programme on Monday.
"Inciting supporters," he said. "They are the Brighton fans, are you inciting them? [Ndiaye] would say it's a bit of fun, football is there to be enjoyed. Is it necessary? For me, no.But for Tim [Robinson] he obviously felt it was."
Gallagher later added: "The thing I talk to young referees about is bear in mind that if you give someone a yellow card when you could avoid it you put yourself under pressure. Not just the player. Because when something happens later in the game you then have to deal with this."
The former referee also gave his assessment of Everton's penalty. Brighton defender Joel Veltman handled the ball in the box under pressure from Beto and a spot-kick was eventually awarded after a VAR review.
Veltman and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler were both adamant the decision was wrong, while Blues boss David Moyes suggested it was "definite penalty".
Gallagher said: "His arm doesn't scrape the ball, he swipes the ball. Is he pushed? I really don't think it's enough to push him over like that.
"What I will say is that's great intervention by the VAR. If you watch, the referee is tracking behind. He couldn't see that, it's shielded. But the VAR really works well."
