Arsenal and Manchester City are locked in a fierce battle for the Premier League title, but the Gunners have been informed of a costly error that could have altered the standings. The Premier League's Key Match panel has confirmed that Everton should have been awarded a penalty in their recent 3-3 draw with Manchester City after Bernardo Silva hauled Toffees star Merlin Rohl to the ground.
The incident was not seen by referee Michael Oliver, and VAR official Paul Howard adjudged it to have occurred before the corner was taken, meaning he could not intervene. However, all five members of the Key Match panel agreed with Everton manager David Moyes, stating that there was a clear, sustained holding offence which continued as the corner was taken and the ball came into play.
At the time of the incident, Everton were leading 3-2, but City fought back and secured a draw thanks to a Jeremy Doku equaliser. Although City's slip-up allowed Arsenal to reclaim top spot, the draw means Pep Guardiola's men are just two points behind the Gunners, rather than three. Mikel Arteta's side can restore that five-point lead with a win against already relegated Burnley on Monday night, while City are in FA Cup action against Chelsea.
Moyes Left Furious by Decision
Moyes was left furious by the decision not to award a penalty, stating: "If that doesn't get given as a penalty, then it's an absolute free-for-all from now on." The panel's admission of error takes the number of VAR errors up to 23 for the campaign, and it is the third time Everton have been denied a penalty through review this season. One of those incidents occurred in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, and the other in a 2-1 loss to West Ham United.
The incident in the defeat to the Hammers left Moyes fuming, with the ball striking the hand of West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes inside the box as he grappled with Thierno Barry. Speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up, head of PGMOL Howard Webb acknowledged that a penalty should have been awarded against Fernandes, saying: "Looking really quite technically at it, I think the game just expects a penalty in this situation. We have to fall in line with what the game expects, and I think in this situation, a penalty would've been the right outcome."
This is the second controversial VAR call in recent weeks, after West Ham United saw a late equaliser against Arsenal ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper David Raya, despite several players grappling in the box. The admission of the latest error will add fuel to the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of VAR in the Premier League.
