Premier League’s Key Match Incidents panel, taking the total this season to 23. It is a 35% increase on last season, with 17 at the same stage in 2024-25, but lower than the 30 logged in 2023-24.
The panel has recorded three errors involving penalties, two of which should have been awarded for holding offences. Everton, the only team not to get a VAR intervention in their favour this season, were wrongly denied a spot-kick against Manchester City. David Moyes’ side led 3-2 at Hill Dickinson Stadium when, on a corner, Bernardo Silva held back Toffees midfielder Merlin Rohl – unseen by referee Michael Oliver.
The VAR Paul Howard decided the holding had taken place before the corner was taken, so he could not intervene to award a penalty. “If that doesn’t get given as a penalty, then it’s an absolute free-for-all from now on,” Moyes said after the game. All five members of the KMI panel agreed with Moyes, saying “there is a clear, sustained holding offence which continues as the corner is taken and the ball comes into play”.
City equalised deep into stoppage time through Jeremy Doku to snatch a 3-3 draw. It is the third time this season Everton should have been given a penalty through video review, the others being in a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal and a 2-1 defeat at West Ham. The panel also voted 5-0 that a penalty awarded to Bournemouth in the 29th minute of their 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace should have been overturned. Marcos Senesi went to ground claiming contact from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, and referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot. The VAR Peter Bankes decided to uphold the decision.