A game that lacked any real flow ended 1-1 — Leandro Trossard opening the scoring for Arsenal before Everton hit back via Ndiaye’s coolly taken penalty immediately after the break.
But there were question marks as to whether a foul should have been given when Lewis-Skelly and Harrison came together in the box.
The Premier League match centre on X explained:, external «The referee’s call of penalty for the challenge by Lewis-Skelly on Harrison was checked and confirmed by VAR — with the contact deemed to be sufficient for a penalty and inside the area.»
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live: «I think it was a very, very soft penalty.
«Even David Moyes will look at that and agree that the penalty was a soft one.»
The result means Arsenal suffered a potentially fatal blow in their quest for the Premier League crown.
Leaders Liverpool require only 11 points from their remaining eight games — starting with Fulham on Sunday — to guarantee themselves the title.
Arteta said of the title race: «We have no margins — that’s so clear. We have done enough to win the game but the margins are very small.»
