Everton was wrongly denied a penalty for handball during their 2-1 defeat at West Ham, according to the Premier League's match incidents panel. Manager David Moyes expressed disbelief over the decision.
David Moyes was "amazed" that his Everton side did not get a penalty for handball at West Ham [Getty Images]
Everton should have been awarded a penalty in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham for handball by Mateus Fernandes, the Premier League's key match incidents panel has ruled.
David Moyes' side trailed 1-0 in the 84th minute when the Hammers midfielder touched the ball with his hand during a tussle with Thierno Barry.
"He punched the ball," Moyes said after the game. "It would have been harsh, but I'm amazed they haven't given it."
Referee Stuart Attwell did not spot the touch and awarded a goal-kick to West Ham.
The video assistant referee (VAR), Michael Salisbury, chose not to intervene as Fernandes "accidentally handled the ball while grappling with an opponent".
But the panel disagreed, voting 4:1 that it was an error by both the referee and the VAR.
It was felt it "was a non-footballing action and a handball offence, therefore, a penalty should have been awarded".
The panel unanimously agreed with the referee and VAR that there should not have been a penalty for Jordan Pickford's 50th-minute challenge on .
Everton should have been awarded a penalty for a handball by Mateus Fernandes during their match against West Ham.
David Moyes was amazed that the penalty was not awarded, stating it would have been harsh but was still surprised by the decision.
Everton lost the match 2-1 to West Ham.
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Everton did equalise a couple of minutes later through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but Callum Wilson scored a winner for the Hammers in stoppage time.
It is the second VAR error that Everton have suffered this season, both penalties that should have been awarded in one-goal defeats.
The Toffees should also have been given a spot-kick in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in December for a William Saliba foul on Barry. Salisbury was the VAR for that match too.
With three rounds of matches to go, Everton are the only team in the Premier League yet to have a VAR overturn go in their favour. In fact, no other team has fewer than two.
The last time the Toffees gained from a VAR review was in January 2025 for a penalty at Brighton.
The Toffees have, however, benefited from four refereeing mistakes.
There was a missed VAR intervention to award a penalty to Wolves in August.
A spot-kick should have been given to the Gunners in the reverse game at Emirates Stadium, and to Chelsea in March - but neither reached the threshold for VAR.
Garner, meanwhile, should have received a second caution against Aston Villa in January.