In a dramatic twist that has left Everton fans fuming, the Premier League's key match incidents panel has confirmed that the Toffees were wrongly denied a penalty during their 2-1 defeat at West Ham. The controversy centers on a handball by Hammers midfielder Mateus Fernandes, which occurred in the 84th minute while grappling with Everton's Thierno Barry.

David Moyes' side was trailing 1-0 at the London Stadium when the incident took place. "He punched the ball," Moyes said after the match, visibly frustrated. "It would have been harsh, but I'm amazed they haven't given it." Referee Stuart Attwell, however, missed the handball and awarded a goal-kick to West Ham.

The VAR, Michael Salisbury, chose not to intervene, initially ruling that Fernandes had "accidentally handled the ball while grappling with an opponent." But the independent panel disagreed, voting 4-1 that it was an error by both the referee and the VAR. Their verdict? "It was a non-footballing action and a handball offense, therefore, a penalty should have been awarded."

Ironically, the panel unanimously agreed with the officials' decision not to award a penalty for Jordan Pickford's challenge on Taty Castellanos in the 50th minute. Everton did manage to equalize shortly after through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but the drama wasn't over. Callum Wilson snatched a stoppage-time winner for the Hammers, leaving the Toffees empty-handed.

This marks the second VAR error against Everton this season, both involving penalties that should have been awarded in one-goal defeats. The first came in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in December, when William Saliba fouled Barry—and Salisbury was the VAR for that match too. With just three rounds of Premier League fixtures remaining, Everton are the only team yet to have a VAR overturn go in their favor. No other club has fewer than two.

The last time the Toffees benefited from a VAR review was in January 2025, when they were awarded a penalty at Brighton. While the club has also been on the receiving end of four refereeing mistakes—including missed penalties for Wolves in August, Arsenal at the Emirates, and Chelsea in March—the pattern of misfortune is wearing thin for Moyes' side as they fight to finish the season strong.