Everton Denied Penalty Against Manchester City After Rodri Handball Goes Unpunished Following VAR Review

Fans were staggered to see Everton denied a late penalty against Manchester City after Rodri appeared to handle the ball inside the area.

Not long after City had finally broken the deadlock through Phil Foden in the 82nd minute, Rodri committed a calamitous error under no pressure when he miscontrolled a simple ball inside the area.

The ball appeared to bounce up against the Spaniard's arm and the incident was referred to VAR.

Rodri himself looked incredibly sheepish when play was halted.

But the check was over fairly quickly, with Stockley Park ultimately deciding against awarding a penalty and referee Paul Tierney not going to the VAR monitor.

The decision caused a huge stir with the home fans at Goodison Park, but fans of Merseyside rivals Liverpool were perhaps also equally as the call could be crucial in the close title race that has developed following recent results.

City held out in the final stages to claim an ugly win that moved Pep Guardiola's side six points clear of closest rivals Liverpool, who face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Speaking after the match, Guardiola said the penalty had not been given for Everton because of an offside call.

Replays appeared to show Richarlison in an offside position in the build-up to the handball incident.

“It was offside,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.

“It was VAR and the action was offside.”

When Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves questioned the call, Guardiola replied: “Your seats were not good!”

Next up for Manchester City is Championship side Peterborough United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday, before the small matter of the derby against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.