FORMER Premier League whistler Mark Halsey has branded VAR “embarrassing” following Everton’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
The Toffees were denied a last-gasp penalty after a controversial VAR intervention on Saturday afternoon.
Ashley Young went down in the box following a shirt pull from Matthijs De Ligt, with referee Andy Madley initially pointing to the spot.
VAR Matt Donohue recommended Madley review his decision – before the WRONG footage was shown on the pitchside monitor.
Former Prem ref Halsey told SunSport: “The decision to overturn a penalty awarded to Everton near the end of their 2-2 draw with Manchester United was clearly wrong.
“VAR Matt Donohue should NOT have got involved because referee Andy Madley’s on-field call was in no way a clear and obvious error.
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“Ashley Young’s shirt was pulled – and when an opponent does that in the penalty area he is asking for trouble.
“When Madley went to the monitor on the advice of VAR he was then shown the wrong footage.
“The Premier League Match Centre posted on social media that Harry Maguire’s challenge on Young had been checked and that no foul had been committed.
“But they failed to take into account that Matthijs de Ligt had pulled Young back by the shirt.
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“And had Madley been shown footage filmed from behind the goal he would have seen this.
“The incident was embarrassing.”
Everton led 2-0 at half-time thanks to goals by Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
But United fought back after the break and levelled through Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.
Relieved Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim claimed the decision not to award a penalty was fair.
Amorim said: “No, I think it’s a soft touch, it was not [a penalty] from what I saw.
“I think it was a soft penalty, that was clear.
“If you start the game without the first half, it was a good point, but we needed the three points.”
But fuming Everton manager David Moyes hit out at the officials after his side were denied back-to-back Premier League wins.
Moyes fumed: “I can’t understand. [De Ligt] pulled his jersey.
“I just thought the referee made the correct decision at the time and he should stick with it.
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“I think everybody who watches football, we’re all looking forward to seeing a referee saying ‘No, no I’m sticking with it’.
‘If it’s absolutely clear and obvious that’s what we’ve got VAR for, but I didn’t think it needed to get involved.
Man Utd ratings vs Everton
MANCHESTER UNITED fought back from two goals down to draw against Everton at Goodison Park
The Red Devils were slammed as “embarrassing” by Rio Ferdinand after failing 2-0 down in the first half.
But they fought back late on thanks to a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and volley from Manuel Ugarte, who bagged his first goal since his summer arrival from PSG.
Amorim’s men were then lucky to escape a penalty in the final moments after VAR overturned the decision.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of the Manchester United team…
Andre Onana – 7
United needed him with his game-head on, and his 93rd-minute stop saved a point.
Noussair Mazraoui 69′ – 4
Looked seriously uncomfortable on the right side of the back three – forced there because of a defensive injury crisis
Harry Maguire – 4
Out-jumped by Doucoure as the midfielder grabbed Everton’s second and was generally all over the place.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Nowhere for Beto’s opener, completely missing attempted clearance and got away with a 93rd-minute penalty call.
Diogo Dalot – 5
At least shows willing. Which is more than could be said for some of his team mates at Goodison.
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Spent most of the game stranded in United’s midfield morass but salvation came with a brilliant strike.
Casemiro 62′ – 2
The Brazilian is beginning to look like the world’s oldest 32-year-old —he’s become a genuine irrelevance.
Patrick Dorgu – 6
Made a determined start down the left flank but that enthusiasm was slowly but surely sucked out of him.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
His free kick was genuine class and once he was dropped deeper started controlling the game.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
At £36.5M you would expect an element of ball control but the Dutchman used as a joint No 10 just looks lost.
Rasmus Hojlund 69′ – 3
Not so much a desperate Dane, more a despairing one although it would help if he had some support.
Subs:
Alejandro Garnacho 62′ – 7
Injected some desperately needed pace and passion.
Leny Yoro 69′ – 6
Should have been on much earlier.
Chido Obi-Martin 69′ – 5
The 17-year-old has a presence for sure.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
