FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey insists VAR was never going to overturn Everton’s controversial penalty against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta was left fuming as his Gunners side lost more ground in the title race with a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

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Leandro Trossard gave the visitors the lead on Merseyside before half-time.

But minutes into the second 45, Iliman Ndiaye fired Everton back on level terms from the penalty spot.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was penalised for a foul on Jack Harrison, despite replays suggesting it was a 50/50 AND may not have even taken place in the box.

But speaking exclusively to SunSport, former Premier League ref Halsey revealed why there was no chance the decision was ever going to be overturned.

He said: “Darren England awarded a second-half penalty when Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly was adjudged to have fouled Jack Harrison in the Gunners’ 1-1 draw at Everton.

“They were both tussling for the ball and it was difficult to see who was fouling who – or if there was any foul at all – with contact also beginning well outside the penalty area.

“Not one Everton player appealed for a penalty – Harrison got straight back up to play the ball – but VAR Stuart Attwell was never going to recommend a review as it was not a clear and obvious error.

“It was one of those subjective calls where if it goes against you, you certainly feel hard done by. And had it not been given it would certainly have stayed not given.”

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was certainly left raging after handing Liverpool the chance to move 14 points clear.

He said: “I’ve seen it 15 times. There’s no way, in my opinion, that’s a penalty.

“There’s no question that apart from that they had nothing but, obviously, that changes completely the momentum and the result.

“I think we deserve more, but that’s what we got at the end. We had two big chances to win the game, we didn’t convert them, so we have to accept the point.”