Was Howard Webb’s decision to award Everton a penalty at Sunderland the worst of the season?

“I was obviously unhappy with the penalty. The players that were heavily involved with it were more upset. Howard must have thought there was contact there but there was clearly no contact. It’s disappointing because it has a major bearing on the game. I saw him after the game and he was very gracious. He thought our player had clipped their player.” – Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill.

“It’s definitely not a penalty kick [that we were awarded]. It’s a poor decision by the referee. It looked to me from the dug-out that Leon had been caught, but I’ve looked at it on the replays and the referee’s made a big mistake.” – Everton manager David Moyes.

When the manager on the receiving end of a penalty call says it was a “poor decision,” you know you are in trouble.

Howard Webb had a mare at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day as he awarded a penalty for Leon Osman kicking the turf.

To add insult to injury, as is often the case, the resulting Everton equaliser, scored by Leighton Baines from the penalty spot, ensured the game finished 1-1.

It was a horrific call from England’s most prominent referee. But there have been some truly shocking decisions in the Premier League this season.

Among the worst calls of the season so far have included Jack Rodwell’s sending off in the Merseyside derby and the penalty awarded to Newcastle at Old Trafford. Have your say in the poll below.

Video of Howard Webb’s decision to award Everton a penalty at Sunderland can be seen here.

A clip from Match of the Day showing the incident is on this video.

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