‘Can’t do his job’ - Frank Lampard slams VAR referee Chris Kavanagh as Everton denied penalty in Man City loss

Frank Lampard slammed VAR referee Chris Kavanagh after Everton were denied a penalty in their 1-0 loss to Manchester City at Goodison Park.

The Toffees should have been given a chance to equalise just three minutes after Phil Foden had given the visitors the lead.

The ball appeared to hit City midfielder Rodri’s flailing arm in the 85th minute - and the incident went to a VAR review.

Yet Kavanagh, in the VAR studio, did not give the decision.

Not did he even allow referee Paul Tierney to have a look at the incident himself on the pitch side monitor.

The cruel defeat leaves Everton one place and one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

And Lampard was adamant the reverse was because of a ‘professional who can’t do his job right’.

The Blues boss said: “The decision is incredible. It’s an incredible decision that loses us the opportunity we deserved.

“That’s VAR’s call, it’s on Chris Kavanagh. It’s completely on Chris.

“I’ve spoken to the referees on the day. They know it’s a penalty. My question was: was it offside in the build-up? It wasn’t.

“It’s Chris Kavanagh. The referee couldn’t see it, he was on the other side. That’s fine, it’s one of the reasons we have got VAR to have those second eyes.

“It wouldn’t have needed more than five seconds to see it was a penalty.

“He either should have told the referee it was a penalty or said to go and look [at the screen].

“We have lost a point when we’re fighting for our life because of a professional who can’t do his job right and that’s amazing.

“I’m not waiting for the statement or apology or whatever about when things are wrong.

“Then you start searching for why. I can’t think why because it’s competence to get it wrong.

“Pep Guardiola and Manchester City fans will know, Everton fans will certainly know, it’s a penalty.”