Powell: Everton penalty was a massive mistake

VETERAN Chris Powell was “flabbergasted” and manager Adrian Boothroyd insisted the penalty that killed their brave fightback against Everton was a “massive mistake,” as Watford suffered a cruel end to their first day back in the top flight.

Referee Peter Walton will know from TV replays that Tim Cahill’s cross hit defender Powell in the face for the penalty decision that gave an increasingly worried Everton a two-goal cushion with minutes to spare.

Andrew Johnson had put Everton ahead in the first half, and the Toffees had to withstand a vibrant fightback by the buzzing Hornets before Mikel Arteta’s spot kick settled the game.

Damien Francis’s deflected last-seconds effort showed just what might have been had referee Walton not controversially pointed to the spot in front of the baying Gwladys Street end.

But the experienced Powell insisted on looking for the positives of an impressive Watford debut-day display.

He said: “I was flabbergasted with the penalty decision, because the linesman didn’t give it. The assistant referees and the main referees are supposed to be a team but Peter (Walton) gave it even though everyone has now seen the replays and knows the ball hit my head.”