The Premier League have confirmed why Everton ’s opener at Manchester United was given after Victor Lindelof bundled the ball into his own net to give the visitors the lead at half-time.
Everton have fallen victim to several contentious VAR decisions this term, the most notable of which came at the King Power Stadium after Kelechi Iheanacho netted a winner deep into stoppage time but were the beneficiaries against United following a Leighton Baines' corner.
David De Gea’s attempts to punch the left-back’s in-swinging corner were to no avail as Dominic Calvert-Lewin pressured the Spaniard, who missed the ball before it went in off of Lindelof at the far post.
Manchester United players and staff were quick to appeal the decision, arguing that De Gea had been fouled by the Everton forward, with his arm appearing to make contact with the goalkeeper’s face in the build-up.
However, the referee saw no issue, with VAR also not adjudging a clear and obvious error in the initial decision, giving Everton a 1-0 lead heading into half-time at Old Trafford.
Later clarifying the decision, the Premier League told Sky Sports that the goal was given because Calvert-Lewin’s challenge was deemed ‘normal contact’, with the striker’s eyes clearly set only on the ball rather than inhibiting the path of the goalkeeper.
