Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Sat 14 March 2026 19:50, UK

Jamie Redknapp vented his fury at VAR after Arsenal were controversially denied a penalty during their last-gasp victory against Everton on Saturday night.

David Moyes’ visitors had more than held their own against the Premier League leaders at the Emirates Stadium in the first half and went into the interval on level terms.

But they were fortunate not to have conceded a spot-kick after a tangle of legs involving Michael Keane and Kai Havertz inside the box on 23 minutes.

Referee Andy Madley sided with the Toffees and VAR rubberstamped his decision, but Arsenal’s frustration throughout the rest of the opening period was perhaps understandable.

The simmering anger eventually gave way to ecstasy in the closing stages, however, with Viktor Gyokeres pouncing on a Jordan Pickford mistake to tap home, before Max Dowman added a second.

Why did VAR not award Arsenal a penalty?

Replays showed a touch from Keane on Havertz as the forward looked to weave his way into the penalty area, but the official quickly waved away protests.

VAR also scrutinised the coming together and did not deem it worthy of a spot-kick, with the Premier League Match Centre describing the contact as “minimal”.

But Redknapp was mindblown by the failure to point to the spot.

Watching the collision during the half-time break on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: “As he just goes past him there, watch Michael Keane’s left foot. It’s so clear.

“How on earth have VAR taken three seconds to say that’s not a penalty, I’ll never know. That is a horrendous decision. It’s definitely a penalty. It should be overturned.”

He continued to seethe, adding: “We see VAR sometimes with decisions that everyone at home can see is not a penalty or not a bad decision, it takes five, 10 minutes.

“That, they’ve taken three seconds and said it’s not a penalty. It’s an absolute disgrace how that’s not been given or overturned.”

Brutally, Arsenal used their sense of injustice to take all three points at the death.

Everton fortunate with spot-kick let-off

Pundits universally believed that the hosts should have been given the spot-kick, and it was certainly a surprise that Madley did not choose to penalise Keane.

Co-commentator Alan Smith was just as confused as Redknapp over the speedy VAR check.

“I’m amazed they’ve taken so little time,” Smith said, before insisting, “It’s a foul all day long.”

The conversation between Madley and the VAR hub at Stockley Park would have made for fascinating listening, but regardless, the drama became academic after Everton’s setback.