Former Premier League referee issues verdict on Arsenal penalty claim vs Everton

A penalty would certainly have helped, and Arsenal thought they might get one in the final minutes of the game, with Vitalii Mykolenko lunging in on Thomas Partey, sending the versatile Arsenal star tumbling to the ground. VAR reviewed the incident and adjudged that Mykolenko got a slight touch on the ball, making it a legal tackle.

That’s a decision former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed with. Speaking on Sky Sports News, he said: “I thought he just got a touch on the ball, the defender, a slight touch before he’s got the player. So for me, no penalty.”

Arteta was also asked about the decision after the game, but he did not want to be drawn on it before seeing a clear replay. “I haven’t seen it. So I cannot comment on that,” he said.

Dyche was complimentary of Mykolenko after the game, saying: “Even the wing players, who this is unnatural for, stepped up - Iliman Ndiaye worked very hard in front of Vitaliy Mykolenko, who was outstanding. Ashley Young on the opposite flank worked hard alongside Jack Harrison, who also put in a great shift.

“We know Jack has quality, but this time he couldn't find those moments, though he worked very hard, and Jesper Lindstrøm came on and worked equally hard. These are the good qualities of this team and this group of players. We are getting players back into shape and the atmosphere in the team is once again high. We need to continue doing this. This was the sixth game without conceding, which is not easy in the Premier League.”