The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has determined that Everton should have been awarded a penalty during their 1-0 loss to Arsenal on December 20, 2025. The incident involved Arsenal defender William Saliba kicking Everton striker Thierno Barry's boot inside the penalty area in the 57th minute. The panel voted 3-2 that referee Sam Barrott's on-field decision was wrong and that VAR official Michael Salisbury should have prompted a review.
On December 20, 2025, Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, thanks to a penalty converted by Viktor Gyokeres after Jake O’Brien handled the ball. However, the game's turning point came in the 57th minute when Saliba challenged Barry for the ball inside the box. Barry reached the ball first, but Saliba's boot struck his, sending him to the ground. Referee Sam Barrott waved away appeals, and VAR Michael Salisbury upheld the no-penalty call, deeming the contact insufficient.
The Key Match Incidents Panel, comprising three former players or coaches, one Premier League representative, and one from Professional Game Match Officials Limited, reviewed the footage. By a 3-2 vote, they concluded the on-field decision was incorrect, with three members noting that Saliba 'carelessly kicks Barry with no contact on the ball,' describing it as a clear and obvious error. The other two argued there was 'not enough impact and a delayed reaction.' Similarly, the panel voted 3-2 that VAR should have sent Barrott to the monitor for a review.
Everton manager David Moyes expressed frustration post-match, questioning inconsistencies in refereeing. 'I was half-choking last night when I saw the decision given [to Fulham against Nottingham Forest] and ours wasn't,' Moyes told Sky Sports. 'It feels as though certain clubs get those decisions and other clubs don't.' He referenced a similar incident two days later where Fulham received a penalty, a decision the panel unanimously supported.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta declined to comment, stating he had not reviewed the footage: 'I know they checked it... They made a decision and we are all involved in a lot of situations in the box so I don’t really want to comment on that.' The ruling comes amid Arsenal's strong title push; they lead Manchester City by five points, though City have a game in hand. Both Saliba and Barry featured in recent wins: Arsenal's 4-1 over Aston Villa and Everton's 2-0 against Nottingham Forest, where Barry scored.
