Thierno Barry's goal for Everton in their Premier League match against Newcastle United stood after a VAR review, despite leaving defender Fabian Schar bloodied. Jamie Carragher claimed Schar was trying to fool referee John Brooks by going down in the build-up to the goal.
Schar grabbed his face after both players jostled for position inside Newcastle's penalty area before Barry continued his run and scored the game's only goal at St James' Park. The defender stayed down to receive medical attention and had to leave the pitch once play resumed.
Carragher's Verdict on the Incident
Carragher did not deem it a foul. Instead, the former defender praised Barry for great centre-forward play and stressed that it was not a deliberate elbow.
Speaking on Sky Sports during post-match coverage on Monday Night Football, Carragher said: "He doesn't expect to get a free kick, but he tries to get a free kick. Sees if he can, y'know, fool the referee or something like that."
He added: "That's great centre-forward play; that's getting your arm across a centre-back. Centre-backs should be doing that to centre-forwards, and centre-forwards should do that to centre-backs in that situation. It's not a foul at all; it's not an elbow. He's getting his arm across to make sure he's in front of the defender when the ball comes across."
VAR Review and Commentary
During the match, co-commentator Andy Hinchcliffe said: "I just wonder whether Newcastle are saying that Thierno Barry may have fouled Schar as he made his way into that goalscoring position. Did he take out the centre-half?"
However, as a lengthy VAR review continued, Hinchcliffe concluded: "Plenty for VAR to look at here. It didn't look as if there was a foul on Schar there. So it's the offside decisions that are the big calls." He reiterated: "It didn't look as if Barry had taken out Schar."
Praise for Barry and Everton's Season
Hinchcliffe also reserved particular praise for the striker, saying: "Barry always has belief that a chance will come. Defensively for Newcastle, it is truly shocking. It's terrible goalkeeping as well; he doesn't get down quickly enough. Barry is ready for the tap-in, and it's a testament to his mental strength. He just keeps going."
Carragher concluded: "If Everton can beat Coventry on Friday then they've had a fantastic start to the season. They'll be in a healthy position in the league, and they're in the quarter-finals against Fleetwood, with a great chance to reach the semi-finals. David Moyes produces the goods again."
