Lampard: VAR didn't do its job

Lampard criticised VAR officials for not penalising Tarkowski's hair pull on Yirenkyi and Mykolenko's challenge on Awoniyi in Coventry's 3-1 loss to Everton.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard expressed frustration with VAR's handling of three controversial decisions in his side's 3-1 defeat to Everton on Friday Night Football. Two penalty appeals and a possible handball for Everton's second goal were all reviewed by VAR officials Timothy Wood and Gary Beswick but none were awarded.

The most contentious incident came in the first half when Everton defender James Tarkowski appeared to pull Caleb Yirenkyi's hair while defending a high ball into the box. VAR reviewed the incident but took no action. Under new Premier League guidance introduced this summer, a hair pull without excessive force should result in a yellow card and a penalty, but the officials decided against it. Lampard told Sky Sports: "VAR is there for that and it didn't do its job."

Coventry had opened the scoring despite the penalty appeals going against them, but ultimately could not overcome the decisions. Everton boss David Moyes acknowledged the controversy, noting his side had also suffered from VAR decisions in recent weeks.