Everton striker Oumar Niasse accused of diving for penalty by Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann
Leighton Baines converted spot-kick for Toffees to earn 2-2 draw... but replays showed minimal contact
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SCOTT DANN has accused Everton’s Oumar Niasse of diving to win a penalty against Crystal Palace.
Leighton Baines converted the spot-kick on Saturday and striker Niasse then grabbed a second equaliser as the Toffees snatched a 2-2 draw.
Replays showed Dann making minimal contact before Niasse went tumbling in the sixth minute.
The Senegalese could face a two-match ban if the FA panel reviews the incident after Dann claimed he “conned” referee Anthony Taylor.
But Niasse was adamant he went down because he was moving fast.
Furious Eagles skipper Dann said: “It definitely wasn’t a penalty. I have seen it again and he dived.
“He has conned the referee. I didn’t think there was contact but if there was it was minimal.
“I’ve not tried to tackle him. He has gone past me and you can see on the replays that he has dived. It was a poor decision. He probably knows he has conned them.
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“I spoke to the referee. I was a bit shocked that he gave it.
“He was adamant at the time it was a penalty. Afterwards, I think he probably knew he made the wrong decision.
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“He didn’t say anything to me but hopefully he will look at the decision and know he got it wrong.
“I don’t like to see people punished but I also don’t like people diving to win penalties.”
Niasse went on to grab Everton’s second leveller on the stroke of half-time after Wilfried Zaha had restored Palace’s lead.
And the striker insisted he was innocent, saying: “The contact was up on my body.
“I was in the box so that is it — all I have to do is go on the floor.
“I think it was because I was running so quick. I’ll be shocked if I am charged because there is contact. I went down because of the contact.
“If you watch the video you’ll understand there is contact.”
James McArthur had got Palace off to a dream start with the first-minute opener.
But the Eagles are still looking for only their second win of the season after 12 games.
