Three more VAR errors have been confirmed by the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) panel, pushing the season's total to 23. These latest mistakes all involve penalties, with two being missed holding offences that should have resulted in spot-kicks.
Everton continue to be the unluckiest team in the league when it comes to VAR. They remain the only side without a single VAR decision in their favour this season, and their latest injustice came in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Manchester City. The Toffees were leading 3-2 at Goodison Park when Bernardo Silva was caught on camera holding back Everton's Merlin Rohl during a corner. Referee Michael Oliver didn't spot it, and VAR Paul Howard decided the holding happened before the corner was taken, meaning he couldn't intervene.
David Moyes was furious after the match, saying: "If that doesn't get given as a penalty, then it's an absolute free-for-all from now on." The KMI panel agreed unanimously, stating there was "a clear, sustained holding offence which continues as the corner is taken." City went on to equalise deep into stoppage time through Jeremy Doku, snatching a 3-3 draw. This is the third time this season Everton have been wrongly denied a penalty through VAR, following similar incidents against Arsenal and West Ham.
In another controversial call, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty in their 3-0 win over Crystal Palace that the panel says should never have stood. Marcos Senesi went down under minimal contact from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, but referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot and VAR Peter Bankes upheld the decision. The panel ruled 5-0 that the call was incorrect and the VAR should have recommended a review.
With 23 errors already this season, the pressure is mounting on the Premier League to address ongoing VAR inconsistencies. For teams like Everton fighting for points at both ends of the table, these mistakes can have massive consequences.
