Everton's 2-2 draw with Manchester United ended in controversy after a late penalty decision was overturned.
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VAR reviewed late Everton penalty awardDe Ligt seemed to pull Young's shirtSocial media reacts to decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ashley Young appeared to have his shirt pulled inside the penalty area by United defender Matthijs De Ligt in injury time, prompting referee Andy Madley to award a penalty to the Toffees with the game poised at 2-2. However, Madley was sent to the screen by VAR and changed his decision, despite one angle clearly showing the offence.
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Former United striker Michael Owen could not believe the decision, psoting on X: "I'm a VAR fan but that last minute penalty was a mess. Maguire wasn't the culprit yet VAR repeatedly offered the ref one angle and failed to show the shirt pull from De Ligt."
Fan @TomJenkns wrote: "They didn't show this angle on VAR. An absolute clown show as we see every week from PGMOL."
@BlueTroupe posted: "Why was the referee shown only one angle by VAR."
Journalist Duncan Castles couldn't believe what he was seeing, writing: "VAR strikes again. Recommends on-field review of Everton’s late penalty – then fails to show Andy Madley footage from this angle where Matthijs de Ligt can be seen pulling Ashley Young’s shirt. Instructs the referee to concentrate on Harry Maguire’s later and gentler shirt pull instead."
@Tony_Scott11 posted: "Mind-blowing that Matthew Donohue & Derek Eaton (VAR & AVAR) never showed Andy Madley the real angle of the penalty decision."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The decision particularly stung for Everton, who had led the game 2-0 and seemed set for three more impressive points under David Moyes. Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave them a first-half lead before Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte hit back for the visitors, who were lucky to not lose at the death.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR EVERTON AND MAN UNITED?
United face Ipswich at home in the Premier League next week, a match they must not lose if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. Everton are next in action at Brentford.