A Controversial Conclusion: Everton vs. Manchester United

The INCIDENT That Sparked Debate

The 2-2 draw between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park was overshadowed by a dramatic and controversial finish. In stoppage time, Everton was awarded a penalty after a foul on Ashley Young, but VAR intervened, overturning the decision and leaving Everton frustrated. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher weighed in, arguing that the penalty should have stood. He pointed out that while referee Andy Madley initially believed Harry Maguire had pulled Young’s shirt, the real offence came from Matthijs de Ligt, who visibly tugged at Young’s shirt for long enough to warrant a penalty. “For me, the best solution is to stick with the referee and VAR not to get involved,” Gallagher said. “Once VAR got involved, it raised a number of issues that didn’t really need raising.”

VAR’s Role: Did It Overstep Its Boundaries?

The debate over VAR’s involvement was further fueled by the manner in which the technology was applied. Gallagher criticized VAR for focusing too heavily on Maguire’s actions while overlooking De Ligt’s clear shirt pull. “They got so bogged down in looking at the Maguire one, De Ligt got washed away,” he remarked. The confusion arose because VAR only showed Madley a side-on angle of the incident, which made it appear as though Maguire was the primary offender. Gallagher emphasized that the best angle—through the net from the goalkeeper’s perspective—clearly showed De Ligt’s foul. “If the ref had been shown the through-the-net angle, he’d have stuck with his decision,” Gallagher argued.

David Moyes’ Frustration: A Manager’s Perspective

Everton manager David Moyes was visibly frustrated by the decision to overturn the penalty. He questioned why VAR intervened at all, suggesting that the initial call should have stood. Moyes’ frustration is understandable, given that his team was denied a golden opportunity to secure a last-minute victory. The overturning of the penalty left many fans and pundits scratching their heads, as De Ligt’s shirt pull seemed clear enough to justify the penalty. Moyes’ reaction highlights the growing tension between managers and VAR, with many feeling that the technology is overcomplicating the game and creating unnecessary controversy.

The Analysts Weigh In: A Divided Opinion

Sky Sports analysts Steven Warnock and Sue Smith added their voices to the debate. Warnock accused VAR of double standards, pointing out that in the same game, Manchester United’s Beto goal was subjected to intense scrutiny, with officials examining every possible angle to find a reason to disallow it. “In the same game, you’ve got the Beto goal which they forensically go through,” Warnock said. “They’re looking for three or four incidents to wipe the goal out, or find something wrong with it.” He contrasted this with the penalty decision, where VAR seemingly ignored the most revealing angle. “If they’re only looking at Harry Maguire, they’ve got it completely wrong,” he said. “It is a penalty, there’s definite pulls on the shirt.”

Sue Smith echoed Warnock’s sentiments, stating that VAR should have examined all available angles before making a decision. “There’s a lot of very frustrated Evertonians out there after this game,” she said. “First of all, why did VAR get involved? It’s not a clear and obvious error.” Smith also defended Young, dismissing claims that he dove. “He’s got to go down, and otherwise, he doesn’t get the decision,” she said. Both analysts agreed that the penalty should have stood, with De Ligt’s shirt pull being the decisive factor.

The Broader Implications: VAR’s Impact on the Game

The controversy sparked by this incident raises larger questions about the role of VAR in football. While the technology was introduced to reduce errors and ensure fairness, it often creates more confusion and frustration. Gallagher’s suggestion that referees should stick to their decisions unless VAR spots a “clear and obvious error” resonates with many fans and professionals alike. The problem lies in the subjective interpretation of what constitutes a clear error, which can vary from one referee to another. This inconsistency undermines the integrity of the game and leaves players, managers, and fans feeling disillusioned.

A Frustrating Finish: What’s Next?

As the dust settles on this incident, one thing is clear: the debate over VAR’s role in football is far from over. For Everton, the overturned penalty was a bitter pill to swallow, denying them a chance to secure all three points. For Manchester United, it was a lucky escape. For the wider football community, it’s a reminder that VAR, while well-intentioned, still has a long way to go in achieving its goal of fairness and clarity. Until the system becomes more consistent and transparent, controversies like this will continue to dominate the headlines, leaving fans and professionals alike to wonder what might have been.