Dermot Gallagher names two mistakes as Everton denied penalty in VAR controversy

The former referee believes VAR should not have intervened in the call - and said once it did referee Andy Madley was not given the best view of the incident

Former referee Dermot Gallagher believes Everton SHOULD have had a last-minute penalty against Manchester United.

The 2-2 draw ended in controversy when referee Andy Madley pointed to the spot in stoppage time when Ashley Young went down in the Man Utd box. He appeared to be fouled by both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

As the Blues prepared for a late chance to take all three points, VAR intervened however. After being asked to review his original call, Madley overturned his decision, leading to fury in the Everton camp and the stands of Goodison Park to ring with the chant: “Premier League, corrupt as f***.”

After the call, the league confirmed the penalty had been given for a perceived foul by Maguire that was ruled out after Madley watched replays. The explanation offered no mention over de Ligt’s involvement, though the ECHO understands his role in the incident was considered.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Gallagher said the call was close enough for VAR to avoid getting embroiled in - echoing the post-match view of David Moyes. He added that, while he did not believe Maguire fouled Young, he did think de Ligt did.

He said: "For me, best solution is stick with the referee and VAR not to get involved.

"Once VAR got involved it raised a number of issues that didn't really need raising.

"I think the ref gave the penalty against Maguire. I don't think Maguire has fouled him but De Ligt has got hold of his shirt for long enough to give the penalty.

"The ref has said to VAR, I've given a penalty because I think Maguire has pulled his shirt. The VAR has looked and said no.

"If he sees an offence he thinks is a penalty he can give a penalty. Most penalties given that the ref doesn't see on the field are what a VAR spots that the ref doesn't. Surely this falls into the same bracket. They got so bogged down in looking at the Maguire one, De Ligt got washed away."

Gallagher went on to add his view that Madley was not given the best view of the de Ligt challenge on Young. He said: "The best angle is from the goalkeeper's view, through the net, and you see De Ligt pulling him.

"What they showed him was that [side-on] angle over and over again.

"If the ref had been shown the through the net angle, he'd have stuck with his decision."