Coventry manager Frank Lampard blasted VAR, saying it failed his side as three reviews went against them in the defeat to Everton.
Two penalty pleas and a potential handball for Everton’s second goal were examined by VAR officials Timothy Wood and Gary Beswick, yet no decision was issued, nor did referee Stuart Attwell award anything on the field.
Coventry struck first after the penalty appeals, but eventually fell 3‑1 on Merseyside during Friday Night Football.
“I’m not discussing the play itself, but when big calls swing games, they absolutely matter. It’s disappointing. VAR exists for that and it fell short,” Lampard said.
Below we break down each incident and capture what pundits, managers and players voiced…
Tarkowski escapes sanction for elbow and hair pull
Late in the first half, James Tarkowski rose to meet a high ball in the box, elbowing Ethan Pinnock and apparently tugging Caleb Yirenkyi’s hair.
VAR reviewed the episode, focusing on the elbow, but issued no card or penalty.
The Premier League Match Centre gave no word on a hair‑pull review, though new summer guidance states: “A red card will be issued when there is a clear and deliberate action to pull an opponent’s hair with excessive force and/or brutality.
A yellow card follows if the action lacks excessive force and/or brutality.
Referees will sharpen detection of obvious holding that materially impacts play, penalising defenders who solely target opponents and hinder their ability to contest the ball.
The first‑half check on Tarkowski showed him pulling Yirenkyi’s hair while battling Ethan. For my money, that should have earned at least a caution.
“The rulebook is clear. They’ve tweaked it so it’s not a red, I get that, but the hair‑pull stopped Yirenkyi’s momentum. It’s a foul and should have been a penalty,” a voice claimed.
What did the pundits say?
“Yirenkyi felt the pull. It’s rare for Tarkowski. Not great defending, definitely a foul, even if it no longer merits a red,” another observer added.
“You can see the hair being used. VAR either missed it or chose not to act,” a critic noted.
Mykolenko clip on Awoniyi not given
Early in the second half, Taiwo Awoniyi drove into the box with Vitalii Mykolenko trailing, receiving contact from behind that knocked the striker down.
Referee Stuart Attwell ruled no penalty, and VAR concluded the contact occurred outside the area.
“The challenge on Taiwo was a clear foul that the referee ignored in real time. It felt borderline, maybe he waited for VAR,” a fan complained.
“But Taiwo’s foot crossed the line, his knee was on the box edge – that should have been a penalty,” the same fan argued.
“It’s an obvious penalty and VAR’s call was rubbish. They rushed a decision; his foot was on the line,” the pundit insisted.
“VAR said it was outside, yet the foot was on the line. If you’re on the line, you’re in the box,” he repeated.
“Awoniyi’s right foot crossed, Mykolenko met him. The contact was on the line, a clear foul, yet the decision went the other way,” the commentator said.
“Take a breather, ask the referee to review and the outcome would likely change,” a voice suggested.
Did the ball hit Barry’s hand before his second goal?
Before Barry’s second goal, which gave Everton the lead, a handball question arose as he volleyed from Tyrique George’s cross, the ball bouncing wildly.
VAR examined the strike but found no decisive handball evidence, so the goal stood.
Friday Night Football later disclosed VAR official Wood’s comments: “Okay, that’s his side, definitely not a hand. Confirming the on‑field decision of a goal.”
When queried, scorer Barry replied: “A goal is a goal! I netted two today… It’s the striker’s job. I’m in a good rhythm and want to keep it going.”
Redknapp: It was a handball for Barry goal – but hard for VAR
“We’ve looked at it closely and I think it brushed his hand. Yet asking VAR to overturn is tough,” an analyst said.
“I watched it for five to ten minutes and conclude it probably did, but I understand why VAR didn’t act – it wasn’t clear enough,” he added.
“It seems to graze his left hand, but we’ve zoomed in. A fast game shouldn’t be halted for endless reviews,” the commentator noted.
“It’s not conclusive enough for VAR to intervene… It brushed his fingers accidentally, not intentionally,” the expert explained.
“It nudged him slightly, but if we start dissecting every detail, the process becomes unmanageable,” the analyst warned.