Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Premier League, VAR, Everton, Manchester United, Football
Ben McCrum
Topics: Premier League, VAR, Everton, Manchester United, Football
The official Premier League match centre account has been forced to release a statement after VAR controversially denied Everton a last minute penalty against Manchester United.
On Saturday morning, United overturned an early onslaught from Everton as they came back to draw 2-2 with the Toffees in a Premier League match at Goodison Park.
Goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure put the hosts 2-0 heading into half-time, before United captain Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte equalised the match.
Advert
It appeared that the hosts would once again have the opportunity to clinch a winner late in the match as referee Andy Madley handed them a penalty, only for the decision to be controversially overturned causing outrage as an official explanation was released.
In the 93rd minute of the match, Madley pointed to the spot after United defender Matthijs de Ligt was deemed to have fouled Everton's Ashley Young inside the box after pulling him to the ground.
However, after a lengthy tense review by VAR, the referee was advised to come to the monitor and the decision was overturned as, although Young's shirt was pulled by the Dutchman, it was decided that it wasn't enough to be deemed as a foul.
Advert
Posting on X, the official Premier League match centre account explained: "VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Maguire on Young and deemed that no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review.
"The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball."
Despite this, fans were outraged at the decision, taking to social media to let their feelings known.
Advert
And their opinion that the penalty should have stood is shared by former Premier League referee Mike Dean, who admitted that the decision not to award the penalty was a controversial call.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "It should not be overturned – he has made a meal of it, he has chucked himself to the floor, though…”
Had Everton been handed the penalty and successfully put it away, it would have seen them continue their fantastic run following the return of former manager Moyes and climb to 12th on the table.