'It's never a penalty' - Tarkowski hits out at key Leeds decision

EVERTON captain James Tarkowski has hit out against the controversial late penalty decision that gifted Leeds United a 1-0 win at Elland Road on Monday night.

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot after the Blues defender flung his body at a shot from Anton Stach that struck his upper arm - which was not raised - and substitute Lucas Nmecha converted from 12 yards out to secure the three points for the home side.

Tarkowski said: “It’s not a penalty. I leaned into the ball and it hit my arm. I couldn't see it.

“My arm's by my side, so unless I put my arms right behind my back, it’s still going to hit my arm because it's right by my side, so I don’t understand how it can be given as a penalty.

“The linesman has given it from 45 yards on the side and the referee has not.

“How he can judge that from that angle I don’t know, it’s bizarre and I can’t really understand it.

“I was confident when he was giving the decision that it was going to get overturned.

“I asked the question to the referee: ‘If my arm is by my side, is it a penalty?’ to which he said: ‘no, so I don’t understand how it’s been given.