Manchester City were reportedly spared a potentially costly VAR decision during their dramatic 3-3 Premier League draw with Everton, in a controversy that could still impact the title race involving Arsenal.
The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel is said to have ruled that Everton should have been awarded a penalty following a challenge by Bernardo Silva on Everton’s Merlin Röhl during the match.
Although the incident was reviewed by VAR during the game, officials decided not to award a spot-kick. However, the independent panel has reportedly concluded that the decision was incorrect, potentially carrying major consequences in the race for the Premier League title.
Everton manager David Moyes criticised the decision after the game, saying: “If that doesn’t get given as a penalty, then it’s an absolute free-for-all from now on.” According to reports, all five members of the KMI panel agreed the challenge warranted a penalty.
The panel reportedly stated: “There is a clear, sustained holding offence which continues as the corner is taken and the ball comes into play.” Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, remain locked in a tense title battle with Arsenal as the season approaches its conclusion.
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The latest ruling reportedly brings the total number of VAR errors identified by the KMI panel this season to 23. Everton are also said to be the only Premier League club yet to benefit from a VAR intervention in their favour this campaign.
Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, are chasing their first league title since 2004 and currently remain in control of the title race heading into the final matches of the season. Had Everton been awarded and converted the late penalty against City, Guardiola’s side could have dropped two additional points in the standings.
The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding VAR decisions across the Premier League. Arsenal themselves were involved in another major VAR incident last weekend after a late equaliser from West Ham United was ruled out during a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Referee Chris Kavanagh disallowed Callum Wilson’s strike after reviewing a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, a decision Arteta later described as “brave”. Arsenal are scheduled to host Burnley before travelling to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in what is expected to be a decisive end to the title race.