Why Nottingham Forest’s handball vs Everton did not result in a penalty

Nottingham Forest requested a penalty towards the end of the initial half when Ashley Young was suspected of handling the ball, with Everton ahead 1-0 courtesy of Idrissa Gana Gueye’s goal.

VAR reviewed two penalty appeals for Nottingham Forest against Everton but concluded that neither warranted penalties.

Ashley Young was embroiled in controversy twice during the initial 45 minutes: first, when he fouled Gio Reyna, and then when a Callum Hudson-Odoi cross hit his arm.

Referee Anthony Taylor did not award either incident as a penalty, and both decisions were upheld after VAR checks, much to the frustration of Nottingham Forest fans and officials.

Referee Anthony Taylor opted not to award penalties for either incident, and both decisions stood after VAR reviews, leading to frustration among Nottingham Forest fans and officials.

As the half-time approached, more questions arose, particularly with Everton now in the lead thanks to Idrissa Gueye’s long-range goal. Morgan Gibbs-White delivered a cross to the back post, where Hudson-Odoi attempted a volley across the goal. The ball visibly struck Ashley Young’s arm, but Referee Anthony Taylor awarded a corner, prompting frustration from Hudson-Odoi. According to reports from The ECHO, this decision was also reviewed, but Young’s arm was considered to be in a natural position relative to his movements.

Young found himself embroiled in yet another incident early in the second half, leaving Nottingham Forest infuriated as Referee Anthony Taylor once again dismissed their appeals.