Frank Lampard felt VAR “didn’t do its job” during Coventry City’s 3-1 defeat to Everton, arguing three huge decisions went against his side.
Two goals from Thierno Barry and one from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall flipped Friday’s game on its head, after Yann Gboho put Coventry in front early in the second half.
But things could have been very different, had VAR officials Timothy Wood and Gary Beswick seen three big incidents differently.
Lampard believed Coventry should have had a penalty in either half, first when James Tarkowski appeared to pull Caleb Yirenkyi’s hair and then when Taiwo Awoniyi was clipped from behind by Vitalii Mykolenko.
Additionally, Barry’s second goal was checked for a potential handball but swiftly cleared, after the ball skipped up off the turf, hit the Frenchman, and squirmed past Carl Rushworth.
“The first-half decision on Tarkowski got checked, and seeing it back, he pulls on Caleb’s hair. I thought the rules were clear,” Lampard told Sky Sports.Â
“I know they’ve changed the rules so it’s not a red card, I get that, but he's pulling on his hair and [Yirenkyi] can’t get his momentum to jump. I think it’s a foul and a penalty and they decided no.
“I thought the one on Taiwo running through – it’s a clear foul that the referee didn’t give it. I can’t believe that, because it was clear. Maybe he waited for the VAR because it was on the borderline.
“But as I see it, Taiwo’s foot is entering the box and his knee and the back of his knee are on the line of the box, which is a penalty. That goes against us with VAR.
“And then Barry’s second goal comes off his hand. I hate to sound like a moaner. I’ve worked here and know how momentum can swing the games.Â
“When big decisions change games, it’s disappointing. VAR is there for that, and it didn’t do its job.”
Frank Lampard gives his verdict on tonight’s defeat. Â https://t.co/QBoH3jzUHw
— Coventry City (@CoventryCityFC) November 6, 2026
Coventry have lost seven of their first 10 league games to start a season for just the third time in their history, also doing so in 1919-20 (nine defeats) and 1920-21 (seven), which were their first two campaigns in the Football League.
And, on the last six occasions where a former Everton manager has faced the Toffees in the Premier League, they have lost all six matches – they were Marco Silva (three times), Sean Dyche (twice) and Lampard on Friday.
The Sky Blues sit 16th in the Premier League ahead of the international break, though they could drop into the relegation zone if results go against them this weekend.
