The Premier League is no stranger to VAR controversies, and this week was no exception. The spotlight fell on Everton's match against Manchester United, where a late penalty was initially awarded to Everton, only to be overturned after a VAR review. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the incident and the rationale behind the decision.

The Incident

In stoppage time, a shot by Idrissa Gueye was saved by André Onana. As Ashley Young moved towards the rebound, he went down under pressure from Harry Maguire. Referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot, but the VAR, Matt Donohue, intervened.

VAR Decision: Penalty Canceled

The VAR meticulously reviewed the incident, focusing on two key aspects:

1. Maguire's Involvement: Maguire placed a hand on Young’s hip but was deemed not to have caused the fall. The contact was considered insufficient for a penalty.
2. De Ligt's Shirt-Pull: Matthijs de Ligt grabbed Young’s shirt twice. While this could have been penalized, the VAR judged the holding to be fleeting and Young’s fall exaggerated. Therefore, it didn’t meet the threshold for a clear and obvious error.

Verdict

Ultimately, the VAR corrected a clear and obvious error by overturning the penalty against Maguire. However, the lack of transparency around VAR decisions continues to fuel debates among fans and pundits alike.

Other Key Incidents

• Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: A possible penalty for Villa was dismissed after mutual holding was observed.
• Arsenal vs. West Ham: Myles Lewis-Skelly received a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
• Bournemouth vs. Wolves: Illia Zabarnyi was sent off after a high challenge.

These incidents underscore the complexities and controversies surrounding VAR decisions in modern football.