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.

This apparently wasn’t handball by Rodri. I give up with this elitist refereeing pic.twitter.com/8MBJomPwtk

— Tom Rawle (@trawle91) February 26, 2022

That’s a clear handball and penalty from Rodri #EVEMC pic.twitter.com/2dl921iSWd

— . (@Lfc_Hrob) February 26, 2022

That's a ridiculous decision. It should be a penalty to Everton and why Paul Tierney hasn't been asked to go to check his monitor is mystifying. If they say below the t-shirt line is handball, then that was handball by Rodri, plain and simple.

— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) February 26, 2022

Should Everton have had a penalty after this potential Rodri handball? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hqrZjCWrrO

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 26, 2022

Sometimes, Football annoys me. How is this not a handball by Rodri? 🤦🏽‍♂️This has to be the worst #VAR decision ever made. What a nonsense? #EVEMCI pic.twitter.com/spsANjC4PD

— Dємι-gσ∂™  GET YOUR PVC! ⭐️⭐️ (@Kay_Munachi) February 26, 2022

So let me get this right @premierleague, this photo showing city getting a decision from a handball is different from Rodri’s? Get some consistency, it’s absolutely embarrassing officiating at this point. #Everton #ManCity #football pic.twitter.com/qX1iRmRV1a

— Billy Jones (@BillyJones00) February 26, 2022

Could be a handball if it's Granit Xhaka #Rodri #EVEMCI pic.twitter.com/JjOq0E0m3Y

— Özil⚽Dërry🎶Ränks (@DerickMwenda10) February 26, 2022

If that Rodri’s handball is actually not a handball, referees will have to explain themselves about the many handballs that weren’t as obvious as this one… 🧐 Absolute shambles of a decision. Inconsistency seems to be key for Premier League referees… and VAR #EVEMCI pic.twitter.com/GDVXeyBdu4

— Quentin Gesp (@quentin_gesp) February 26, 2022

Rodri today:#ManCity #Everton #EveCity #Handball pic.twitter.com/K7koA0va59

— YoungAdobo (@KickinItWitKeef) February 26, 2022

I've watched the Rodri handball 10x
First look it was 100% pen, on tenth look it's 110% a pen.

— C h e l c e e G r i m e s (@ChelceeGrimes) February 26, 2022

💯 Penalty. Clear handball by Rodri.

Does anyone in football believe this WASN’T handball and a penalty?#EVEMCI #VAR #Corruption 🚩🚩🚩 https://t.co/c9wtU96Vdp pic.twitter.com/ZQPFXW8Zuo

— Football W/Out Fairness Is Nothing (@FootballBofI) February 26, 2022

This League is fixed Rodri handball pic.twitter.com/mxcO9MWi8l

— junior jr (@i_Red_Foo) February 26, 2022

What Handball?? Beautiful controll by Rodri... pic.twitter.com/vv0Usv7WpE

— Armellica 🏴‍☠️ (@ArmeIIica) February 26, 2022

Even Rodri knew that was hand ball 🤣

— Bianca Westwood (@beewestwood) February 26, 2022

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. Your seats were not good." 😀

Pep Guardiola gives his reaction to the handball claim that Everton felt was a penalty pic.twitter.com/sLeZhjY6CK

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 26, 2022

“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.