Sunday 10 December 2017 18:51, UK
Sam Allardyce believes referee Craig Pawson was "brave" to award Everton the penalty that helped them earn a 1-1 draw at Liverpool, but is adamant the decision was a correct one.
On the back foot for much of the game in Sunday's Merseyside derby, Dejan Lovren was adjudged to have pushed Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the box by referee Pawson, giving Wayne Rooney the chance to equalise, which he duly converted to earn Everton a point.
Jurgen Klopp was incandescent in his post-match interview, furiously insisting the decision was incorrect, but Allardyce feels differently.
"We needed just one opportunity and that opportunity came from a penalty," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "The referee has to be brave to give a decision like that.
"I have looked at it, and he [Dejan Lovren] has pushed him, but we have seen ones like that before where it has been difficult for the referee to give it. He [Pawson] did give it, and Wayne Rooney has put it away.
"At the end of the day, some you get and some you don't. I have had a look at it and I think it is a penalty.
"There is no such thing as a soft penalty. If you ask [referee's chief] Mike Riley there is no such thing. He [Lovren] has either impeded or stopped our player in the box from trying to score."
Liverpool finished the match having enjoyed 79 per cent possession, but had only three shots on target for all their dominance, and Allardyce feels the reason for that was his side's impressive defensive display at Anfield.
"Before I got here we conceded 13 goals in four matches, now we have conceded one in four since," Allardyce added.
"We haven't got the flair or the talent that Liverpool have got at the minute, but we are building a resilient and determined unit that are trying to get better and better each week.
"You can sometimes fault what we do and didn't do with possession, but in terms of organisation, effort and commitment it is all there for the fans.
"I am sure the fans would have liked to see us play better, but I am sure they will be more pleased with a point than playing well and losing three of four nil.
"Our defensive unit was incredible today. We have stopped one of the most fluent attacking sides in Europe at the moment. Credit to the players. They had to score a brilliant goal to go 1-0 up, but otherwise they have not been able to create much else."
