Everton faced frustration after their dramatic encounter with Manchester United ended with a controversial draw on February 22, 2025, at Goodison Park. The home side had surged to a 2-0 lead only to slip to a 2-2 tie, with VAR once again taking center stage after referee Andy Madley reversed his initial penalty decision late in the game.
Initially, things seemed to be going well for the Toffees. Striker Beto opened the scoring with an impressive finish past United goalkeeper Andre Onana, and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure doubled Everton's lead, bumping the score to 2-0 before halftime. Everton appeared to be coasting through the first half, demonstrating their dominance on the pitch.
Yet, the tides turned shortly after the break. United's Bruno Fernandes found the net early on from a free-kick, igniting hope for the visitors as they began to apply pressure. Manuel Ugarte’s sensational equalizer leveled the match, making for a tense finish.
The real drama unfolded late when, with the match nearing its end, Ashley Young was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box by Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire. Referee Madley initially pointed to the spot, awarding Everton what appeared to be the winner. But controversy ensued as VAR intervened.
Following a thorough review, Madley overturned the penalty decision, citing insufficient contact. According to multiple reports, the VAR had suggested to Madley to check for a possible pull by Maguire rather than De Ligt, even though replays indicated De Ligt's contact may have had more impact. The overturn prompted furious reactions from players and fans.
Famed pundit Rio Ferdinand couldn’t hide his disapproval, stating on air, “I didn’t agree with the decision.” Fellow commentator Adam Summerton revealed the VAR’s message: “They told the referee to check whether Maguire was pulling Young and not De Ligt.” This sparked intense debate as observers questioned the fairness of the process.
Meanwhile, Moyes lamented the situation, reflecting on what he perceived as a missed opportunity. “I have had a look and undoubtedly he pulls his jersey. The on-field decision looked correct, and I am surprised he was asked to go to VAR. They understand more than the referee on the field,” he remarked, expressing his frustration at the overturned penalty.
Despite the bitter end, it's important to recognize Everton’s performance, especially the contributions from Doucoure and Beto. Doucoure was instrumental, delivering not only his goal but also consistent pressure throughout the match. His performance earned him the 'Man of the Match' title, signifying his importance to the squad.
On social media, opinions were split, with many former players weighing such as Theo Walcott siding with Moyes' perspective, stating, “I totally agree with the referee; I don’t think it was a penalty.” Others felt the reverse was justified due to the nature of Young's fall. Phil Jones pondered, “It is very, very soft, but Maguire does get a tug of the shirt on Young. He has made a mess of it.”
While the match itself offers much to dissect, particularly the changing no-foul assessments surrounding holding and shirt-pulling, this encounter has undoubtedly intensified discussions on VAR's role in football. The rules around holding reflect the league’s effort to clarify what constitutes a foul, particularly as teams navigate dynamic and often chaotic plays.
Critically, as Moyes highlighted, the side cannot solely place blame on the VAR's controversial reversal when they squandered their two-goal lead; they had opportunities to secure the victory before the drama unraveled. The Toffees face challenges moving forward, but the shift under Moyes since his return has shown promise. The coach must now refocus his squad after this disappointing result.
The match ended as it began—a spectacle of ups and downs, where emotion rippled through the spectators at Goodison Park. Everton's players left the field with their heads down, reflecting on what could have been, and the echoes of fury from the stands will likely linger long after the match has ended.