Arsenal told of key error that could have major impact on Man City title race | OneFootball

Confirmed mistake may prove costly as Gunners bid to finally end 22-year wait for glory next week

Manchester City benefitted from a major VAR error when drawing against Everton earlier this month in a result that could have a significant bearing on the Premier League title race with Arsenal.

However, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI) have now confirmed that City were fortunate to have the opportunity to make it 3-3.

Everton led 3-2 in the 85th minute when they won a corner. Bernardo Silva pulled Merlin Rohl to the ground but referee Michael Oliver waved away the Everton appeals for a penalty and that decision was upheld after a brief VAR check.

Paul Howard was on VAR duties that night and he ruled that the holding from Silva was before the corner was played into the box.

However, all five members of the KMI panel unanimously agreed that "there is a clear, sustained holding offence which continues as the corner is taken and the ball comes into play".

That is now 23 VAR errors in the Premier League this season that have been confirmed by the KMI panel.

Lucky: Bernardo Silva should have given away a penalty during Manchester City’s 3-3 draw at Everton

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They ruled that Everton should have had a penalty and the opportunity to make it 4-2 against City, which could well have put the match to bed.

"If that doesn't get given as a penalty, then it's an absolute free-for-all from now on," Everton boss David Moyes said after the match.

"I might have to start coaching my defenders how to defend differently completely.

"It looks like now you're able to sort of grapple and wrestle on the ground if you want. I'm absolutely amazed."

That draw gave Arsenal control of the title race and it means they will be champions if they win their final two matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace.

However, the VAR error could still be crucial come next weekend and the final day of the season.

Had Everton been given the penalty and gone on to win the match, Arsenal would be three points clear of City at the top of the table.

In that scenario, four points would be enough to guarantee the title, rather than the six the Gunners currently need.

If Arsenal draw against Burnley or Palace and City win their last two matches, the title will be decided on goal difference.

As it stands, City's goal difference is one better than Arsenal's after they beat Crystal Palace 3-0. They have also scored seven more goals, which would be the next tie-breaker.