‘Absolute Mess’ – Shearer rages after Everton player controversy in loss v Man City

Alan Shearer rages over Amadou Onana incident in Everton loss v Manchester City, ‘absolute mess’

Alan Shearer was furious after Manchester City were awarded a penalty for a dubious handball against Amadou Onana in their 3-1 win over Everton.

The Toffees took the lead in the first half through Jack Harrison before Phil Foden’s equaliser, as they pressed an earned a penalty when Nathan Ake’s shot came off Onana’s hand from minimal distance apart.

And Shearer, speaking on Prime Video (09:38pm, 27 December), was furious at the decision and labelled the current handball rule an “absolute mess”.

View Tweet
“The reason why it was given is because it hit his hand first then his head rather than the other way around,” he said.

“But what is he there, a yard away? I know it’s sticking out. I don’t think I’d be alone in saying that the handball law is an absolute mess at this moment in time.”

Ridiculous

It’s a ridiculous decision from the officials to give that as handball, and regardless of what the rules say anyone who has played football knows that isn’t handball.

Onana was about a yard away from play and stretching to block a shot, and moments later is falling backwards and breaking his fall with his other arm.

Yes the ball hits his hand but his arm isn’t in an unnatural position, it doesn’t make him any bigger and he has no time to react and get out of the way of it either.

The performance on the night from Everton deserved so much more than to be defeated by such a controversial call, and once again referees have been allowed to influence a game more than they need to.

It won’t ease Toffees concerns that the Premier League are out for their blood and to get them after the ten point deduction earlier this campaign, but it’s a shame a great game was ruined in that way too.