Steven Pienaar: Everton FC should have had a penalty against Arsenal

29 November 2012 08:00
Steven Pienaar believes Everton were unlucky not to be awarded a potentially match-winning penalty after he was fouled by former team-mate Mikel Arteta during their 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

The South African appeared to be hauled down in the penalty area by Arteta as he burst through on goal in the second half, but referee Michael Oliver waved away the home side's protests and David Moyes’ men ultimately had to be content with a sixth draw in their last eight games. However after Saturday’s demoralising stalemate against Norwich, Pienaar insists the Blues proved they are up for the fight to finish in the top four with their response after going behind to Theo Walcott’s first minute goal last night. Marouane Fellani pulled the Toffees level after fine work by Pienaar forced a mistake from Bacary Sagna, and the midfielder said:

“When you concede so early it’s easy for your heads to go but to be honest the support was fantastic even though that happened.

"The fans kept us going and there were 89 minutes left so we knew we were still in the game.

"We gave it everything, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough although it was a good point against a really good team.

 “(For the penalty claim) I felt a pull and I don’t think Mikel touched the ball. "I think I kicked it out as he pulled me down.

“I wished him good luck for the rest of the season afterwards but it was a costly decision.

Source: liverpool_echo