Everton 3-1 Coventry VAR controversy, Digi Mart USA News (Merseyside, England): Coventry boss Frank Lampard says VAR “didn’t do its job” after his side’s 3-1 Premier League defeat to Everton on Friday night. Three reviews went against Coventry, with two penalty appeals and a possible handball leading to Everton’s second goal all checked by VAR officials Timothy Wood and Gary Beswick, yet none was awarded.
Referee Stuart Attwell did not award any of the decisions on the field either. Coventry opened the scoring after the two penalty appeals, but were ultimately beaten 3-1 on Merseyside in the Friday Night Football fixture.
Lampard told Sky Sports: “I hate to sound like a moaner. It’s a football match and if you win the game, that can happen here.
I’ve worked here and know the momentum swings in the game.” He added: “I’m not trying to talk about the circumstances of the actual football, but when big decisions change games, they absolutely do. It’s disappointing.
VAR is there for that and it didn’t do its job.”
Tarkowski avoids punishment for elbow and hair pull
Towards the end of the first half, James Tarkowski rose to defend a high ball into the box. As he did, he caught Ethan Pinnock with an elbow and appeared to pull the hair of Caleb Yirenkyi.
VAR examined the incident, especially the elbow, but no card or penalty was given.
There was no communication from the Premier League Match Centre on whether the hair pull was reviewed. New Premier League guidance from this summer states that a red card will be issued for a clear and deliberate pull of an opponent’s hair with excessive force or brutality, while a yellow card applies if the action is without excessive force or brutality.
Lampard said: “The first-half decision on Tarkowski got checked. Seeing it back, he pulls on Caleb’s hair while competing with Ethan.
I thought the rules were clear. I know they’ve changed the rules so it’s no red card, I get that too.
But he’s pulling on his hair and [Yirenkyi] can’t get his momentum to jump. I think it’s a foul and a penalty and they decided no.”
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp said on Friday Night Football: “Yirenkyi goes up, Tarkowski gets hold of his hair. He yanks it down.
Is it excessive force? Probably not, but he pulls his hair, stopping any elevation.
It’s a definite penalty for me.” Lee Hendrie, on Sky Sports co-commentary, said: “There’s a clear pull… Tarkowski is in the heart of this.
There’s an elbow, which isn’t a problem, but the hair pull will raise awareness.”
Mykolenko challenge on Awoniyi not given
At the start of the second half, Taiwo Awoniyi drove into the box with Vitalii Mykolenko behind him. Contact from behind sent the striker down.
Referee Stuart Attwell waved away a penalty appeal, and the VAR review deemed the contact to be outside the box.
Lampard said: “I thought the one on Taiwo running through – it’s a clear foul that the referee doesn’t give in-game. I can’t believe that because it’s clear.
Maybe he waited for VAR because it was on the borderline. But as I see it, Taiwo’s foot is entering the box and his knee and the back of his knee is on the line of the box, which is a penalty.”
Redknapp said: “It’s a definite penalty and it’s rubbish from the VAR. It’s a poor decision.
It’s a definite foul, they rush it too quickly, and his foot’s on the line. If you’re in the line, you’re in the box.”
Possible handball before Barry’s second goal
There was a question of handball before Barry’s second goal, which gave Everton the lead. He bundled the ball home from Tyrique George’s cross as it bounced wildly.
VAR checked the goal, but found no conclusive evidence of handball, and the goal stood.
VAR official Wood said during deliberations: “Okay, that’s his side, that’s definitely not hand. Confirming on-field decision of goal.” On Sky Sports co-commentary, Hendrie maintained he believed it was a handball and should have been ruled out.
Lampard agreed, telling Sky Sports: “Barry’s second goal comes off his hand… His last touch flicks it in the net.
It was a really quick check as well. People may disagree, but it’s my opinion.”
Barry, who scored both of Everton’s goals in the match, said: “A goal is goal! I scored two goals today…
It’s the job of the striker to score. I’m in a good moment and I try to keep this feeling.”
Redknapp said he had examined the incident closely: “We’ve looked at it forensically and I do think it touches his hand. But when you’re asking VAR to intervene and disallow the goal, it’s difficult.
I understand why VAR didn’t give it because it’s not clear and obvious enough.”
