Frank Lampard says 3-year-old daughter could do better than VAR ref after howler

Everton manager Frank Lampard has hit out at VAR referee Chris Kavanagh in an epic rant after his side were denied a penalty against Manchester City on Saturday night.

The Toffees were beaten 1-0 at Goodison Park, with Phil Foden’s 82nd-minute goal giving Pep Guardiola’s side all three points.

But the victory was not without controversy, with City fortunate to get away with an apparent handball by midfielder Rodri in the closing stages.

Everton hit back and could have won a penalty when Richarlison’s effort rebounded off goalkeeper Ederson and struck Rodri’s arm inside the box.

Referee Paul Tierney decided not to give a spot-kick and VAR Kavanagh did not overturn his call after watching several replays.

Defeat left Everton just one point above the relegation zone in 17th place and Lampard was absolutely furious with the decision in his post-match interview.

“I was calm. I wasn’t ranting at him (Tierney). I wanted to know if it was offside in the build-up, because if that happens, then it negates the penalty shout. It wasn’t,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’ve been told that clear – it was not offside against Richarlison in the build-up. So then it’s just [about] isolating the penalty.

“The referee was on the other side of it. That’s fine, I get that. So go to VAR, who have a minute and a half, or two minutes, to look at it.

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“ And to think that Chris Kavanagh has not given that penalty that strikes him on the arm, midway, strikes him when his arm is not in a natural position… I’ve got a three-year-old daughter at home that could tell you that’s a penalty.

“I’m not being funny Geoff, I’m not meaning to make light of it. We’re in a position where we’re fighting at the bottom of the table and Manchester City are fighting to win leagues.

“Everything is crucial. So when you have the system to bring in a minute or two to have a view of the most easiest [sic] decision you’re going to get of a handball. Easy.

“There are so many that happen quickly, [when the] arm’s there, whatever. I don’t know what has to happen as a reflection of that. It’s clear.

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“A mistake would be when you’ve got something wrong and you haven’t got time to think about it. They’ve got two minutes to digest a handball.”

Lampard was equally irritated by the fact Kavanagh did not advise Tierney to look at the pitchside monitor to view the incident again.

“Tell me why, I can’t understand it,” he added. “With VAR, when the referee says ‘I didn’t see it, give me a clear understanding’. The referee sees it. Even if he says ‘I’m not sure, it’s a maybe’. Then they go, ‘OK, go and have a look. We’re both in this together. You get the first shout as the referee’.

“I don’t understand it. It’s incompetence at best. If it’s not that then someone needs to explain to me what it is.”

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