Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have voiced strong criticism over a controversial VAR decision that denied Everton a penalty in their 2–1 defeat to West Ham United, reigniting debate over handball interpretations in the Premier League.
The incident occurred at the London Stadium on 25 April, with Everton trailing 1–0. During a challenge between West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes and Everton forward Thierno Barry, the ball struck Fernandes’ arm inside the penalty area. Despite a VAR review, officials ruled the contact accidental and allowed play to continue, with no penalty awarded.
The decision has since drawn widespread scrutiny, particularly from former professionals turned pundits, including Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, who both expressed disbelief on The Rest Is Football podcast.
Lineker questioned the call immediately, suggesting it looked like a clear penalty in real time, while Shearer described the non-award as “ridiculous,” arguing that Fernandes’ arm movement contributed directly to the ball’s trajectory. He also dismissed suggestions that grappling in the build-up justified VAR’s decision to overlook the handball.
Lineker added that although he personally dislikes the current interpretation of the handball law, the incident met the threshold for a spot-kick in his view.
Everton left frustrated as European push takes a hit
The defeat proved costly for Everton, who are battling to stay in contention for European qualification. Despite having slightly more possession and generating a higher expected goals (xG) figure than their opponents, they failed to convert their chances into points.
West Ham, meanwhile, capitalised on their opportunities to secure all three points, continuing a strong run of form in tight matches.
Manager David Moyes’ side were also noted to have endured late setbacks in recent fixtures, but this time held firm to secure victory. The result comes at a crucial stage of the season where every point carries significant weight in the congested mid-table race.
Tactical concerns and growing pressure on Moyes
Despite Everton’s statistical edge in parts of the match, questions are again being raised about their overall attacking efficiency and game management under manager David Moyes.
While Moyes has previously been credited with stabilising the club and steering them away from relegation danger, sections of the fanbase are becoming increasingly vocal about the team’s conservative style of play. That tension has resurfaced as results tighten and margins remain slim in decisive matches.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, meanwhile, continues to guide his side through a competitive Premier League campaign, with the victory over Everton adding further momentum.
What comes next
The result leaves Everton facing a difficult run-in, with a high-profile fixture against Manchester City up next. With pressure mounting and margins for error shrinking, the controversy surrounding the Fernandes handball is likely to linger—especially if it ultimately proves costly in the final league standings.
For now, the debate over VAR consistency and handball interpretation shows no signs of cooling down, with prominent voices in the game once again questioning how such key decisions are being made.
