Everton are thankfully no longer troubled by fears of a relegation battle – but a recent decision that went against the Toffees still sparked huge controversy.
Last month, Everton hosted Manchester United at Goodison Park.
The game ended 2-2, but all the talk was about the penalty decision that was given and then overturned by VAR, for the challenge on Ashley Young right at the end.
Young went down under a challenge by Matthijs de Ligt.
Referee Andy Madley initially gave the penalty, but after seeing some strange angles of the incident via the pitchside monitor, he reversed his decision.
A Premier League panel recently concluded Everton shouldn’t have been awarded a penalty, and that VAR was right to intervene.
But there has been controversy about what Madley was on the pitchside screen.
Alan Shearer called the decision against Everton ‘mind-boggling’, as he questioned the angles that were shown to Madley that did not clearly show the contact on Young.
Now, there is more frustration for Everton fans, with Howard Webb explaining the situation.
Everton fans stunned as Howard Webb addresses VAR overturn decision vs Manchester United
Inevitably, the penalty overturn decision was discussed on the latest episode of Match Officials Mic’d Up.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb cast his eye over some contentious decisions that have happened recently, and the Young penalty overturn was a focus.
He said: “We’re trying to look for impact from that action and the way Young falls forward, he spreads his legs, in my opinion, doesn’t correlate to the amount of contact you see from De Ligt.
“We don’t think this meets the threshold of a penalty in its own right. That was the view of the referee at the screen and was momentarily shown the angle from behind the goal.”
But then Webb said something that has angered Evertonians, relating to the angles that were shown to Madley.
He added: “They ask the referee at the screen to consider the actions of De Ligt, but I absolutely accept that the angles that are present to the referee at that point don’t show a clear enough view of what De Ligt does.
“They need to show him the angles earlier at the screen. I’m not saying De Ligt’s actions are a foul, but they need to show another angle to make a determination at the screen.
“Some of these angles were shown on broadcast and I guess that’s where some of the criticism came from about how this process played out.”
On social media, fans were left stunned by the admission and Webb’s overall explanation.
@MarkEaton1112 said: “Absolutely disgraceful, the whole explanation and views are not transparent of the incorrect decision given. Every camera angle and shot needs to be shown not just VAR’S Favourite. Again premier league and pgmol protecting one of the so called big six.”
@Helsby1 added: “Only positive thing Webb can do for the officiating in this country is step down.”
@Paul03319 agreed, saying: “Webb needs to step down @FA_PGMOL”
@DavEvo83 said: “Another who needs to own up to mistakes and step down. This system needs total control some sort of consistency with decisions.”
- READ MORE: Dermot Gallagher says whether he thinks Everton’s penalty should have been overturned vs Man United
Very concerning
In one breath Webb says there was no foul by de Ligt.
But then he’s saying that he accepts Madley wasn’t shown the most suitable angles, which do show Young’s shirt being pulled.
Young admittedly went down theatrically.
But there was still a pull of the shirt and Young was prevented from getting to the ball, and it is concerning that Webb has doubled down.
Had the right angles been shown, Madley may not have overturned his decision. It remains a mystery why those angles were given.
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