MusaEverton supporters have been left questioning a controversial VAR decision after Thierno Barry had a second goal ruled out during Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town.
David Moyes’ side secured another important three points at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Barry scoring the decisive goal after his effort deflected off James Tarkowski’s shot and found the back of the net. The victory maintained Everton’s unbeaten start to the season and lifted them into fifth place in the Premier League table.
However, the Toffees thought they had doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Barry rose to head the ball into the net.
The goal was initially given, but VAR intervened and recommended that referee Stuart Attwell review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After watching the footage, Attwell overturned the goal and awarded Ipswich an indirect free-kick.
The Premier League later explained the decision through its Match Centre, stating that Brennan Johnson had been in an offside position and had interfered with Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton’s ability to make the save.
That explanation has not completely settled the issue among Everton supporters, with some questioning whether Johnson’s position genuinely prevented Walton from reaching the ball.
According to the Premier League’s explanation, VAR determined that Johnson was interfering with an opponent while in an offside position and subsequently recommended an on-field review. Attwell then decided that Johnson’s positioning had affected Walton before cancelling the goal.
The decision has inevitably sparked further discussion about the threshold for goalkeeper interference and how VAR officials are applying the offside law in such situations.
Despite the controversy, Everton held on to their narrow advantage and secured another valuable victory. Ipswich’s task became even more difficult in the 67th minute when Abdul Fatawu was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Moyes will nevertheless feel that his side could have made the match far more comfortable. Everton created a number of opportunities but failed to find a second goal, leaving them exposed to a potential late equaliser until the final whistle.
As a result, Barry’s disallowed header became one of the biggest talking points of the afternoon.
The striker can still take plenty of confidence from his performance. His first-half goal proved decisive, while the disallowed header once again highlighted his ability to occupy dangerous positions inside the opposition penalty area.
For Everton, the challenge now will be to maintain their defensive solidity while becoming more clinical when chances arrive in the final third.
Although the Premier League’s explanation has provided clarity on why Barry’s second goal was overturned, the reaction from Everton supporters suggests that the VAR controversy is likely to remain a talking point for some time.
Musa
