Frank Lampard Keeps It Real During Brutally Honest Interview About Rodri's 'Handball' For City vs Everton

Frank Lampard was furious with VAR after Everton were denied a penalty in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Phil Foden's strike eight minutes from time separated the two sides, but Rodri appeared to control the ball with his arm inside the City box moments later.

Referee Paul Tierney waved away the decision and VAR agreed with his decision, something Lampard was furious with at full-time.

When asked about the handball drama Toffees manager Lampard told Sky Sports: "We are hurting a bit because of the performance and of a huge decision.

"I was calm, I was not shouting and ranting at him. I wanted to know if offside in the build up but I have been told it wasn’t in the build up.

"Go to VAR, they have two minutes to look at it and to think that Chris Kavanagh [VAR official for the game] has not given that as a penalty when it strikes him on the arm, in an unnatural position. I have a three-year-old daughter at home who could tell you that was a penalty.

"We are fighting at the bottom of the table and they are fighting at the top and an easy decision to give on a penalty.

"I don't know what has to happen as a reflection of that. A mistake is when you have done something wrong and don’t have time to think about it, they had two minutes to digest the handball.

"Even if the VAR says not sure, then go have a look. It is incompetence at best, if not that then someone needs to explain what it is.

"It's a clear, clear handball."

The result at Goodison Park could play a huge part in where both sides finish this season.

Everton slipped to 17th in the table and are just one point above Burnley, who drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace earlier on Saturday.

Victory for City means they've extended their gap over Liverpool at the top of the table to six points.

Jurgen Klopp's side do have a game in hand however as they face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday afternoon.

City boss Pep Guardiola was asked about the Rodri handball and he was quick to point out a penalty would've been unfair, as Richarlison was offside in the build-up.

"When VAR reviewed the action anything can happen, but I think the referee said offside for the pass from Dele to Richarlison," he explained to City's official website.

"That's what I figured out in that moment - the previous action. I could not watch it so I don't know. If VAR says no penalty, it's not a penalty."

City's Oleksandr Zinchenko and Everton full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko, who are Ukraine internationals, embraced before kick-off in the wake of Russia's attack on their home country.

Both players were visibly emotional as 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' echoed around the stadium prior to kick-off.