THE PREMIER LEAGUE addressed VAR's controversial decision to deny Everton a late penalty against Manchester United. The Toffees thought they got a last-gasp spot kick at the death of stoppage time when the score was 2-2 at Goodison Park. The Merseysiders saw themselves leading 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals by Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
![[Soccer players vying for the ball.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/hb-off-platform-varchester-united_612628.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
However, United fought back in the second half and levelled the score with Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte. But David Moyes' men thought they would redeem themselves in the third minute of stoppage time after throwing away a two-goal lead. That was when Man Utd star Harry Maguire appeared to have pulled down Ashley Young in the area.
![[Manchester United players arguing with a referee.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/vlcsnap-2025-02-22-14h27m02s359_720.png?strip=all&w=720)
The referee pointed straight at the spot but VAR felt differently and advised him to chack the pitchside monitor. After a lengthy review, the hosts were denied a late penalty and the Red Devils found themselves breathing a sigh of relief. The Premier League addressed the situation at full-time with a statement on social media.
![[Soccer game in progress, goalkeeper diving to make a save.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/vlcsnap-2025-02-22-14h27m28s791_720.png?strip=all&w=720)
It read: "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 an indirect free-kick.".
![[VAR review of a penalty call in a soccer game.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/vlcsnap-2025-02-22-14h28m59s768_720.png?strip=all&w=720)
Man Utd also had a penalty kick denied in the closing stages of the match. Joshua Zirkzee's header hit Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite in the face and then possibly his arm in the 83rd minute. But VAR concluded there was no handball and the ref waived play on.
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