Everton manager David Moyes says he does not understand why his side had a late penalty overturned in their 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the third minute of second-half added time, with Harry Maguire initially penalised for fouling Ashley Young in the box.
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But referee Andy Madley was then sent to review the foul on the pitch-side monitor at Goodison Park, following a lengthy VAR check, and subsequently reversed his decision.
“I can’t understand why the referee onfield makes the decision, if it was clear and obvious he should go to the screen, I didn’t see that, he pulls his jersey,” Moyes said in his post-match news conference. “I thought the referee made the correct decision at the time and he should stick with it.
“I think everybody who watches football we are all looking forward to a referee saying, ‘No I am sticking to what I have done’. They are being told they are absolutely wrong. If it was absolutely clear and obvious, that is what we have got VAR for.
“It looked to me as though the shirt pull was enough. I can only tell you what I have seen. I didn’t know what you just told me. You shouldn’t be getting away with pulling jerseys. From the touchlines, I thought he had gone over someone’s leg.”
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The Premier League Match Centre social media account, which provides live information from the VAR hub, said: “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.”
On the decision, United head coach Ruben Amorim said in his post-match news conference: “It was a little bit of a soft touch. And we are in England, so you guys enjoy a lot the physicality of the game. I think it was clear to overturn the decision.”
Everton had taken a 2-0 lead into half-time, courtesy of goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
United equalised in the 72nd minute through a Bruno Fernandes free kick, in what was their first shot on target of the match. Manuel Ugarte then scored his first United goal to equalise for the away side eight minutes later.
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The result sees Everton move ahead of Tottenham Hotspur into 12th place, while United remain 15th.
Everton return to action on Wednesday with a home game against Brentford, with United welcoming Ipswich Town to Old Trafford on the same day.
NO PENALTY- DRAMA AT THE END!!!
Upon review, Everton do NOT have a late penalty against Man United! 😱 pic.twitter.com/HuCJVpf9NI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
Everton had a penalty overturned in stoppage time against Man United after VAR review. 👀 pic.twitter.com/f39d5CYCqu
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 22, 2025
(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
