Gary Lineker drops honest verdict on Everton penalty decision against Brighton

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Everton secured another huge three points in the Premier League on Saturday, beating Brighton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium.

Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty was the difference between the two sides, as David Moyes got his second win on the board.

Ndiaye drew applause from the Brighton fans for his Seagull celebration after scoring, which actually earned him a booking.

But it was another top display from the Senegal international, and there were more defensive heroics at the other end.

Everton’s penalty came about after a VAR intervention, with Joel Veltman being deemed to have handled the ball under pressure from Beto, who had replaced the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

And it was a decision that Gary Lineker last night suggested was slightly harsh on Brighton.

• READ MORE: Furious Joel Veltman tears into Everton tactics after VAR decision goes against Brighton

Gary Lineker suggests Everton got lucky with VAR decision against Brighton

It was one of those decisions that was perhaps in the grey area.

Veltman certainly handled the ball. The question was about whether it was deliberate or not.

On Match of the Day last night, pundits Danny Murphy and Alan Shearer were in agreement that it was handball and therefore a penalty.

But host Gary Lineker had a little more sympathy for Veltman.

Murphy stated that it was a penalty that Veltman ‘grabbed’ at the ball, with Shearer then agreeing.

Lineker then said: “I see why it was given but I’m just saying, there’s no player ever who would do that internationally in the box. I think he was just pushed by both players at full speed, and in slow motion, it just looks a little bit more like a penalty.

“But the fact we disagree suggests, is it clear and obvious?”

Everton can start to look up after Brighton win

There will be debates in the coming days about the penalty decision and whether Everton perhaps got a bit lucky.

Certainly though if this was an Everton player, Brighton would have been screaming for a spot-kick.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
12	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	22	6	9	7	25	28	-3	27
13	Man UtdManchester United	22	7	5	10	27	32	-5	26
14	West HamWest Ham	22	7	5	10	27	43	-16	26
15	TottenhamTottenham	22	7	3	12	45	35	10	24
16	EvertonEverton	22	5	8	9	19	28	-9	23
17	WolvesWolves	23	4	4	15	32	52	-20	16
18	IpswichIpswich	23	3	7	13	21	47	-26	16
19	LeicesterLeicester	22	3	5	14	23	48	-25	14
20	SouthamptonSouthampton	23	1	3	19	16	53	-37	6

Ndiaye converted well, and Everton were then able to stay resolute and defend their lead.

It was a gritty performance by Everton and so far, Moyes is doing exactly what he was brought in to do, which is to improve the team in the final third, keep that solidity at the back and get points on the board.

To take six points against Spurs and Brighton is no easy task.

Everton are now seven points clear of the relegation zone which is huge, and if The Friedkin Group can land Moyes a couple of new signings at Everton, as is the expectation, then this could genuinely help the Toffees to look up the table, rather than over their shoulder.