It’s never a penalty – Tarkowski

VAR technology once again had a deciding hand in proceedings.

Referee Deniz Aytekin awarding the penalty after viewing England defender James Tarkowski’s challenge on Italian substitute Federico Chiesa on a pitch-side screen. But the young England debutant was adamant it shouldn’t have been a penalty.

“I stood on his foot but I didn’t think a lot of it,” he told ITV. “I thought it was a goal-kick.

“It is what it is – I’m not going to complain. It’s been a great experience this week. “It’s never a penalty. “It would have been nice to have two wins but I think there’s a lot of positives to take.

“We look forward to the World Cup now.”

England boss Gareth Southgate also didn’t think the penalty should have been given.

“I’m glad it’s not the World Cup,” he said. “I think the rule is ‘clear and obvious’. I don’t think it’s clear and obvious.

“It’s one you can debate forever. (Tarkowski) looks like he stands on him but I think that’s in the motion of running and he looks like he was on his way down anyway.”

Southgate felt his side’s display was a mixed bag.

“I thought the first five minutes was very sloppy. After that we settled into the game.

“We probably created more chances than we’ve done in a lot of matches.

“We were a real threat – Raheem, Ox running from midfield, Jesse, some real good combinations – scored a really good goal.

“We just struggled to get out of their high press a little bit more than in previous games.”

ALBION winger Matt Phillips scored his first international goal in Scotland’s 1-0 victory in Hungary last night.

It was a first victory of Alex McLeish’s second spell in charge after he returned to action with a home defeat against Costa Rica on Friday.