Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why he thinks Nottingham Forest were denied a first-half penalty for handball while Wolverhampton Wanderers were awarded one for a similar incident.
A shot from Neco Williams seemingly brushed off the arm of defender Toti Gomes, but it was not deemed a handball and calls from the Reds for a penalty were waved away.
After the interval Adama Traore had his effort from a similar position deflected wide by Scott McKenna. VAR Lee Mason alerted referee Thomas Bramall to it and, after a lengthy review on the pitchside monitor, he pointed to the spot.
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Ruben Neves duly converted from the spot, which turned out to be the winning goal. But the differing decisions has once again inflamed the debate around what constitutes a handball in football.
Gallagher explains that, in the first instance, Gomes is arguably attempting to move away from the ball and that "there's enough doubt there not to give a penalty". In the second instance, he says that McKenna's "arm is out" and that makes it easier for the referee to award the spot kick.
"The difference is, his arm is clearly out," Gallagher told Sky Sports. "I think the VAR sees this.
"This kind of handball offence, whether you like it or not, has been given all season by and large.
"I think handball is so difficult now, but anybody putting their arm out has been penalised.
Forest did receive a penalty for a foul on Ryan Yates by Matheus Nunes in the box in the second half, but Brennan Johnson saw his effort saved by Jose Sa. Steve Cooper's side now sit bottom of the Premier League table with just one win from their opening ten games.
Do you agree with Gallagher's expert view? Have your say in the comments!
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