VAR was CORRECT to overturn Everton’s controversial late penalty against Manchester United.
The Toffees were denied a chance to win the clash in the dying moments at Goodison Park.
Everton were denied a late penalty against Manchester United[/caption]
Andy Madley had initially given a penalty but was sent to the screen[/caption]
After a second look, he decided to change the decision[/caption]
The review centred on the challenge from Harry Maguire as that was what Madley gave the penalty for[/caption]
David Moyes’ side had thrown away a two-goal lead in the second half against the Red Devils.
But they believed they had the opportunity to claim three points after Ashley Young went down in the Man Utd box in injury time.
The former Red Devil fell theatrically after contact with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, with the Dutchman grabbing his shirt.
But Referee Andy Madley pointed the spot as he judged MAGUIRE to have fouled the full-back.
This decision was checked by VAR Matt Donohue.
Maguire had placed a hand on Young’s hip but there was no obvious tug or pull to cause Young’s fall, meaning VAR believed it was a clear and obvious error to award the penalty.
Madley was called to the monitor to look at the incident involving Maguire and changed his decision.
Everton fans were up in arms that the penalty was overturned despite De Ligt clearly having a hold of Young’s shirt, but while the VAR did review that, he decided there was not enough to give a penalty.
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That’s because the penalty wasn’t originally given against De Ligt and therefore it couldn’t be deemed a clear and obvious error.
It’s the same as if the referee had waved play on – the threshold wouldn’t have been high enough to overturn the decision and give a penalty for the Dutchman’s shirt pull.
However if Madley had given the penalty due to De Ligt’s actions, then there would have been no intervention from VAR.
In that scenario it would not have been a clear and obvious error because De Ligt did grab Young’s shirt.
The threshold for this kind of decision has been risen this season.
Donohue decided that the holding of Young’s shirt was “fleeting” and not enough to cause him to fall in his exaggerated manner.
Therefore, Madley was shown angles of the Maguire incident and decided to rescind his original decision of a penalty.
He would have seen the two shirt pulls by De Ligt as he was shown a “high behind” camera angle.
The Premier League addressed the situation at full-time with a statement on social media.
It read: “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 an indirect free-kick.”
Meanwhile, the Red Devils were slammed by their performance by club legend Rio Ferdinand.
The retired defender insisted that he had never seen the club play that badly before.
Sir Alex Ferguson was also in attendance and looked disgusted at the team’s first-half efforts.
Man Utd ratings vs Everton
MANCHESTER UNITED fought back from two goals down to draw against Everton at Goodison Park
The Red Devils were slammed as “embarrassing” by Rio Ferdinand after failing 2-0 down in the first half.
But they fought back late on thanks to a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and volley from Manuel Ugarte, who bagged his first goal since his summer arrival from PSG.
Amorim’s men were then lucky to escape a penalty in the final moments after VAR overturned the decision.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of the Manchester United team…
Andre Onana – 7
United needed him with his game-head on, and his 93rd-minute stop saved a point.
Noussair Mazraoui 69′ – 4
Looked seriously uncomfortable on the right side of the back three – forced there because of a defensive injury crisis
Harry Maguire – 4
Out-jumped by Doucoure as the midfielder grabbed Everton’s second and was generally all over the place.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Nowhere for Beto’s opener, completely missing attempted clearance and got away with a 93rd-minute penalty call.
Diogo Dalot – 5
At least shows willing. Which is more than could be said for some of his team mates at Goodison.
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Spent most of the game stranded in United’s midfield morass but salvation came with a brilliant strike.
Casemiro 62′ – 2
The Brazilian is beginning to look like the world’s oldest 32-year-old —he’s become a genuine irrelevance.
Patrick Dorgu – 6
Made a determined start down the left flank but that enthusiasm was slowly but surely sucked out of him.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
His free kick was genuine class and once he was dropped deeper started controlling the game.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
At £36.5M you would expect an element of ball control but the Dutchman used as a joint No 10 just looks lost.
Rasmus Hojlund 69′ – 3
Not so much a desperate Dane, more a despairing one although it would help if he had some support.
Subs:
Alejandro Garnacho 62′ – 7
Injected some desperately needed pace and passion.
Leny Yoro 69′ – 6
Should have been on much earlier.
Chido Obi-Martin 69′ – 5
The 17-year-old has a presence for sure.
