The Premier League revises VAR statement following Man United’s last-minute penalty controversy against Everton.

Manchester United salvaged a 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park in a match that ended in controversy over a late penalty decision. Everton started strongly, with Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure putting them two goals ahead in the first half. United struggled early on but found their rhythm in the second half, as Bruno Fernandes curled in a stunning free-kick in the 72nd minute. Their comeback was completed when Manuel Ugarte unleashed a powerful long-range strike to level the game.

However, the drama reached its peak in stoppage time when referee Andy Madley awarded Everton a penalty after Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire were involved in a challenge on Ashley Young. Before the spot-kick could be taken, VAR official Matt Donohue intervened, urging Madley to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After examining multiple angles, Madley reversed his decision, leading to a drop ball instead of a penalty. The Goodison Park crowd erupted in frustration, with Young questioning the referee’s change of mind.

Shortly after the match, the Premier League’s Match Centre issued a statement explaining the decision, initially stating that play resumed with an indirect free-kick. However, just minutes later, they corrected the statement, clarifying that play restarted with a drop ball, not a free-kick. While this amendment did not impact the match’s result, it highlighted the ongoing scrutiny surrounding VAR decisions.

Reactions from both camps varied. Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim deemed the original penalty call “soft” and felt the final decision was fair. Everton boss David Moyes, on the other hand, expressed disappointment, believing the initial call should have stood. The controversy has reignited debates about the effectiveness of VAR, with growing calls for more consistency and transparency in officiating.