Everton sent surprising VAR verdict as three mistakes identified
Everton topped the Premier League last season when it came to benefitting from VAR errors. That's according to an analysis of decisions following the 2025-26 campaign.
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel identified 18 VAR mistakes across the entire campaign, with three of those working in the Blues' favour.
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The club did not have a single mistake go against it, according to the KMI panel - despite controversial moments such as the use of technology to disallow a stoppage time penalty awarded against Manchester United when Ashley Young appeared to be brought down at Goodison Park.
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Brighton and Hove Albion also had three mistaken calls work to their advantage but the south coast club had one that worked against them. Everton were credited with none.
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Brentford were the side worst hit by incorrect calls according to an analysis of the reviews carried out by ESPN. They had three errors go against them. That included the sending off of Christian Norgaard in the goalless draw at Goodison Park.
Christian Norgaard red for lunge on Jordan Pickford
The Bees captain was shown a straight red card just before half-time in this clash back in November. No foul was awarded at the time but VAR intervened to send the referee to the monitor and suggest red was the most appropriate punishment after Norgaard made contact with Pickford's knee while lunging for the ball.
The KMI panel was split 3-2 in favour of the original decision to play on, though the minority argued there was 'high, full and forceful contact with the studs'.
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Everton were unable to take advantage of the extra man and the game ended 0-0.
Everton's fourth in romp over Wolves
The game was well and truly over by this stage but Everton benefitted from a failure to uphold the rules of offside according to the KMI panel.
Midway through the second half, Craig Dawson scored his second own goal of the game to give Everton an unassailable 4-0 lead in what felt like a meeting of real significance near the bottom of the table at the time.
That goal should have been chalked off, however, because Abdoulaye Doucoure blocked an opponent. The panel found the on-field decision to allow the goal was wrong - as was the failure of the VAR to recommend a check.
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James Tarkowski on Alexis Mac Allister
The KMI panel voted unanimously to agree that Everton captain James Tarkowski should have been sent off for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The first half incident was a major talking point and the panel found: "The clear dangerous nature of the challenge is not mitigated by Tarkowski winning the ball first. A clear example of endangering the safety of an opponent."
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