# Lampard Criticizes VAR Decisions in Coventry's Defeat to Everton Frank Lampard claims VAR failed to intervene during three controversial incidents in Friday's match. - **Source:** [Sky Sports – News](https://www.skysports.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3ef0b666-5607-4c48-a919-c95f0da2c079 ## Controversial Officiating at Goodison Coventry manager Frank Lampard expressed significant frustration following his team's 3-1 loss to Everton on Friday. He specifically highlighted three separate incidents where VAR reviews failed to support his side. Lampard argued that these missed interventions fundamentally altered the momentum of the game, despite his reluctance to sound like a complainer. ## The Tarkowski Hair Pull During the first half, Everton defender James Tarkowski appeared to pull Caleb Yirenkyi's hair while competing for a high ball. Although VAR reviewed the incident, no penalty was awarded. New Premier League guidance suggests that while hair pulling is a foul, it only warrants a red card if excessive force is used. ## Penalty Appeal on the Line Taiwo Awoniyi was brought down by Vitalii Mykolenko in the second half, sparking another intense debate. While the on-field referee and VAR deemed the contact occurred outside the box, replays suggested the foul happened on the line. Under current rules, contact on the line is considered to be inside the penalty area. ## Handball Claims for Goal Everton's second goal, scored by Thierno Barry, was also subject to a VAR check for a potential handball. Officials concluded there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision. Despite this, pundits and Lampard maintained that the ball brushed Barry's hand, arguing it should have been ruled out for the infraction. ## Punditry and Expert Analysis Jamie Redknapp and Lee Hendrie analyzed the incidents, with both agreeing that the hair pull on Yirenkyi was a clear foul. Redknapp noted that while it might not be a red card, it certainly stopped the attacker's momentum. They expressed disappointment that VAR did not intervene to rectify these clear on-field errors. ## David Moyes' Perspective Everton manager David Moyes acknowledged the frustration caused by VAR, noting that his own team has suffered from similar decisions in the past. He cited previous matches against Newcastle and Manchester City where calls did not go in his favor. Moyes emphasized that sometimes these decisions simply go against a team during play. ## The Threshold for Intervention The debate highlights the difficulty of the 'clear and obvious' threshold for VAR. While forensic analysis suggests the ball may have touched Barry's hand, the lack of conclusive proof makes intervention difficult. Experts argue that while accuracy is desired, the game should remain quick without excessive delays for every minor incident. ## Impact on Match Results The loss leaves Coventry reflecting on what might have been if key decisions had favored them. Lampard's public criticism underscores the ongoing tension between managers and officiating technology. As the season progresses, the consistency of VAR applications remains a central talking point for clubs fighting for crucial points in the league. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/13609067/everton-3-1-coventry-frank-lampard-says-var-didnt-do-its-job-after-three-incidents-went-against-sky-blues-in-premier-league-defeat — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._