The Premier League Key Match Incidents Panel has delived their verdict on Everton's disallowed goal vs Ipswich Town, that saw Thierno Barry's header ruled out.
Brennan Johnson was adjudged to have been in an offside position as Thierno Barry headed into the back of the net against Ipswich, much to the dismay of Everton supporters.
It was a decision that didn't go down well with Everton fans, especially with it being such a fantastic header from Barry.
That would have been his second goal of the game, and with it being disallowed, it was a little too close for comfort for the Toffees.
Everton did go on to win the game 1-0, and there would have perhaps have been more made of the decision had Ipswich got back into the game.
Barry is someone who certainly won't be happy, though. The French striker has endured a difficult start to life at Everton, and although he's showing improvement this season, such a well-taken goal would have given him a huge confidence boost.
Hopefully, Barry is pleased with himself for managing to produce the header, that would have undoubtedly gone in regardless of whether Johnson was there or not.
Premier League Key Match Incidents panel drop verdict
The Key Match Incidents panel (KMI) have now delivered their independent assessment of Barry's disallowed goal for Everton against Ipswich.
KMI have decided that the decision to overrule the referee's original decision, which was to award the goal, was correct. The KMI panel believes that Johnson was clearly in an offside position in very close proximity to the goalkeeper, and he makes a movement which impacts the goalkeeper's ability to set and move to the ball.
Two panelists disagreed and felt that Johnson's actions impacted the goalkeeper, but three decided he did.
The KMI panel said: "The VAR intervention to disallow the goal for interfering with an opponent by Johnson was supported, 3:2. Johnson was clearly in an offside position, in very close proximity to the goalkeeper and makes a movement, impacting the goalkeeper’s ability to set and move to the ball. Two panellists felt that Johnson’s position and actions did not impact goalkeeper Walton."
Adding further detail, the Premier League have referred to the Premier League and Pro Ref Competition Guidance Handbook, confirming that the offside law does not require the referee or VAR to determine that the goalkeeper would have saved the ball or not.
"The offside law does not require the Referee or VAR to determine that the goalkeeper would definitely have saved the shot, only that their ability to play the ball has been impacted. In this instance, Johnson's movement and proximity to Walton constitute an offside offence because it affects the goalkeeper’s ability to attempt to play the ball."
It's certainly interesting that the panel couldn't come to a complete agreement, which does hint that Everton were perhaps hard done by. It's difficult to agree that Johnson did impact the goalkeeper, simply by standing near him.
Christian Walton had a clear sight of the ball the whole time, with Johnson not impacting that, and he also wasn't impeding the goalkeeper from moving. Walton had next to no chance of saving the ball, which should surely come into the thinking of the officials.
Thankfully for Everton, the decision meant nothing in terms of the outcome of the game. Everton managed to hold on for all three points, perhaps aided by the fact that Adbul Fatawu was rightly sent off for a second bookable offence.
