Hackett taken aback by VAR’s response to Crystal Palace controversy vs Everton
Keith Hackett has questioned why it took so long for VAR to confirm that Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal for Crystal Palace against Everton was onside.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that it appeared as though VAR officials were looking for a reason to disallow the goal.
Despite dominating much of the first-half, Crystal Palace were a goal down to Everton just before the break of Saturday evening’s Premier League clash.
They would though draw level almost immediately after the re-start as Mateta maintained his impressive recent form in front of goal, to further remind Crystal Palace of the importance of keeping the striker.
His latest goal however, would only be allowed to stand following a long VAR check.
Jean-Philippe Mateta made to wait for equaliser by VAR
Just a minute into the second half, Everton could only half clear a set-piece that had been sent into their penalty area.
That allowed Marc Guehi to hook a high ball back into the box, where it fell for Mateta to finish clinically and pull Crystal Palace level.
However, confirmation of the goal was proceeded by a long VAR check, both for a high boot from Guehi, and to see if Mateta was onside as he pushed the line of the Everton defence.
Replays though appeared to be indicate that the striker was clearly not offside, despite the check taking several minutes to confirm.
Now, Hackett has hit out at the VAR officials for taking so long to confirm that the goal would be allowed to stand, when compared to a much quicker check for offside to rule out a Mohammed Salah goal in the clash between Liverpool and Wolves the following day.
Keith Hackett blasts VAR after Crystal Palace vs Everton
Speaking to Football Insider about the length of time that was taken to check that goal, the former referee said:
“I really don’t know what they were looking for here. When we look at the weekend, we had the Liverpool check in their game for an offside, and it was seconds. Decision made.
“Here we saw in view the VAR operator and I just visually it looked as though VAR and the AVAR were looking to find something to rule it out.
“Because when you looked at it with the naked eye and when you looked at it with the replay you’re thinking ‘he’s ok here.‘
“I know it’s fractions of an inch or whatever, but I couldn’t determine why it took so long.”
With Man City winger Jack Grealish having picked up an injury against Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek after a long VAR check, both sides may have been pleased to avoid any fitness issues in the wake of this incident.
Despite this goal eventually being allowed to stand, Everton would still go on to win the game following a late winner by Charly Alcaraz, which has moved the Toffees 13 points clear of the relegation zone, and they are now only behind Crystal Palace on goal difference.