Jamie Carragher Criticizes Luton Defender Teden Mengi for Conceding Penalty Against Everton
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has slammed Luton Town’s Teden Mengi for his “ridiculous” challenge on Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, which led to a penalty in their Premier League clash on Friday night.
Mengi was penalized for holding Branthwaite during a corner in the first half at Kenilworth Road, and the incident was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) before referee Tim Robinson awarded the penalty. Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted the spot kick to give Everton the lead.
Carragher, who was commentating on the match for Sky Sports, was scathing in his criticism of Mengi’s challenge. “What on earth is Teden Mengi playing at? Crucial game in Luton’s battle against relegation and he’s just gifting penalties like that. Absolutely ridiculous,” he said.
Fellow pundit Gary Neville agreed with Carragher’s assessment, stating that the challenge was “not clever at all” and that Mengi had left the VAR with “nowhere to go”.
Luton Town are currently embroiled in a relegation battle, and the penalty concession could prove costly in their bid to avoid the drop. Mengi’s mistake has been widely criticized, with many pundits and fans alike expressing disbelief at the defender’s actions.
The incident highlights the importance of discipline and awareness in defending, particularly in high-stakes matches like this one. Mengi’s error has put his team at a disadvantage, and they will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks in their fight against relegation.