Premier League explain VAR penalty review after Everton vs Manchester United ends in controversy

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Evening Standard

·22 February 2025

Premier League explain VAR penalty review after Everton vs Manchester United ends in controversy

Manchester United’s final ever trip to Goodison Park ended in controversy as the hosts were denied the chance to take all three points in stoppage time

The Premier League have confirmed why VAR intervened as Everton saw a penalty decision overturned in injury time against Manchester United.

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With the score locked at 2-2, referee Andy Madley awarded Everton a stoppage-time penalty after Ashley Young went down in the box under pressure from both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

However, the official would change his decision after the VAR advised him to review the monitor.

The Premier League’s Match Centre have now confirmed the decision was overturned as it was deemed that Young was not fouled by Maguire.

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 said in a statement.

“The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”

No penalty: Ashley Young

AFP via Getty Images

Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure benefited from some abysmal first-half defending from Man United to put Everton 2-0 up at the break.

But Bruno Fernandes' free-kick in the 72nd minute halved the deficit and gave the visitors renewed hope. Eight minutes later, they were back on level terms as the United captain’s set-piece was only cleared as far as Manuel Ugarte who took one touch before slamming the ball past Jordan Pickford from just inside the box.

The result means Man Utd remain in 15th place in the Premier League table, whilst Everton move a point clear of Tottenham and Crystal Palace before the 3pm kick-offs.