Premier League officials accused of 'favouritism' after Man City penalty escape at Everton

Premier League officials have been accused of 'favouritism' after Everton were controversially denied a penalty in their 1-0 Premier League home loss to leaders Manchester City.

The Blues seemed set to be given the chance to cancel out Phil Foden's 82nd-minute strike when the ball hit Rodri's arm in the City box.

The home players and fans immediately called for Paul Tierney to point to the spot.

But the referee refused to listen and his decision was backed up by VAR Chris Kavanagh back at Stockley Park.

That staggered Everton manager Frank Lampard, who called the decision 'incompetence at best', and in the hours afterwards there was universal agreement in the football world that it should have been a spot-kick.

And now former Aston Villa and England striker Gabby Agbonlahor has had his say on talkSPORT.

Agbonlahor said: “That incident reminds me of the favouritism that Manchester United used to get under Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson).

“They used to get all the decisions. All the refs were on their side in the big moments of the game.

“Any neutral watching that game… it’s a penalty. Especially with the new rules now.

“It’s very sloppy from Rodri, but it’s a penalty. I think any other team apart from Manchester City would probably get that penalty given against them.

“If (Mason) Holgate had done that, or one of the centre-halves for Everton, it would definitely be given as a penalty.”

The Premier League has confirmed that the VAR didn't believe there was a 'clear error' by the officials.

Kavanagh back at Stockley Park reviewed the footage multiple times and it's understood he didn't feel there was enough 'conclusive evidence' to reverse the decision.