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Brighton’s penalty against Bournemouth explained as Michael Oliver grants ‘controversial’ spot kick
Referee Michael Oliver awarded Brighton a penalty during their match against Bournemouth, which has sparked debate. The decision has been labeled as a “very soft” spot kick, with some questioning its fairness.
Referee Michael Oliver awards early penalty to Brighton
Brighton took a 12th-minute lead against sixth-placed Bournemouth after a contentious penalty decision at the Amex Stadium.
Diego Gomez, making his first start since his £12m January move from Inter Miami, played a pass through to Joao Pedro.
The Bournemouth goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, brought Pedro down, but the Brighton forward had managed to touch the ball just before contact was made, directing it away from Kepa before falling to the ground.
Referee Michael Oliver pointed to the spot, and after a review by VAR officials Matt Donohue and Gary Beswick, the decision stood, as there was no clear and obvious error.
TNT Sports co-commentator Nigel Spackman, a former Chelsea midfielder, described the decision as “very soft,” but Pedro kept his composure and converted the penalty, sending Kepa the wrong way.
The assist from Gomez was a highlight of his strong early performance, while Pedro’s goal brought his Premier League tally to seven for the season.
Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury, was on pundit duty for TNT Sports and commented, “I would not be happy if that was given against me, but in modern football, that is a penalty all day long. Pedro took a shove in the back from Huijsen and was clever to get a touch, leaving a leg in there.”
Pedro, who scored in Brighton’s 4-0 victory over Southampton last weekend, had already earned praise from manager Fabian Hurzeler ahead of the Bournemouth match. Hurzeler noted, “Joao is a player with a lot of self-confidence.
He knows he can change a game with one action, and not only does he think that way, he has the quality and skills to back it up.”
