Everton played out a 1-1 draw with West Ham United – and there was one contentious VAR decision in the game.
The Toffees stretched their unbeaten run in the Premier League to nine games, and had Jake O’Brien to thank for popping up to equalise in injury-time.
Everton weren’t at their best, but still managed to pick up a point at Goodison Park which is positive.
O’Brien came in for praise from Danny Murphy on Match of the Day, with the pundit hailing the Irishman as ‘terrific’ since Moyes came in.
In the game there was a contentious decision when Everton saw a penalty decision overturned.
Konstantinos Mavropanos was adjudged to have fouled Beto, before referee Darren Bond reversed his decision after a VAR intervention.
The West Ham defender gave his verdict on the incident after the game.
West Ham defender Mavropanos adamant VAR were right to rule out Everton penalty
Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images
Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images
On the stroke of half-time Beto tumbled in the West Ham box as he attempted to get a shot off, under a challenge by Mavropanos.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Bond did blow for a penalty, but it was later reversed.
The Premier League issued a statement about the incident on X, which read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Kilman on Beto – and deemed that no foul was committed, therefore recommended an on-field review.
#EVEWHU – 44’ VAR OVERTURN
VAR checked the referee’s call of penalty to Everton for a challenge by Kilman on Beto – and deemed that no foul was committed, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) March 15, 2025
View Tweet
“The referee overturned the original decision and play restarted with a drop ball.”
For Mavropanos, the decision to overturn the penalty was the right one, telling West Ham’s official website: “I don’t think I really touched him. I haven’t seen it again yet, but I knew in the moment that I hadn’t made a mistake and that it wasn’t a penalty.
“Max [Kilman] was there as well and he said the same, and so I think it was clear. I’m pleased the right decision was made, and that it didn’t have an impact on the game.”
Frustration for Everton, but a positive point
There was perhaps just not enough in the challenge by Mavropanos on Beto to warrant a penalty kick in the end. The contact appeared to happen right at the top of Beto’s kicking motion, so perhaps it was classed as a natural coming together.
Had that penalty award stood though and Everton had scored from the spot, it could well have meant a very different second-half.
But it was still a positive point for Everton in the end given the performance wasn’t great.
It can only be a good thing to still pick up points even when there is a poor performance, and that will be important again next season at Bramley-Moore Dock.