Thierno Barry continued his fine form as his two goals and an assist fired Everton to a comeback 3-1 win over Coventry - who had three big VAR calls go against them on Merseyside. Everton's only available striker scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season in similar fashion - nodding in two headers at the back post after Yann Gboho had given Coventry the lead at the start of an epic second half. But that was only one part of the story, as officiating controversy dominated the game.
In the first half, James Tarkowski avoided punishment for an apparent hair pull on Caleb Yirenkyi in the penalty box. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player VAR Tim Wood checked and cleared Tarkowski's challenge on the Coventry midfielder - and the technology was needed again after half-time. Taiwo Awoniyi ran through towards the box and went down under Vitalii Mykolenko's challenge.
VAR checked the foul and deemed there was contact - but outside the penalty area. These two big calls initially didn't matter as Gboho scored his first Coventry goal in fine fashion, slaloming through challenges and poking past Jordan Pickford. But four minutes later, Barry took over.
First, he headed at the back post from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's cross before a second, similar goal had more controversy attached. Barry bundled the winner home amid accusations from Coventry he used his hand in the move. VAR said there was no conclusive angle which showed the Everton forward handled the ball in.
Barry then turned provider to seal the result - as his eye-of-the-needle pass released Dewsbury-Hall to fire in from a tight angle. The Everton midfielder responding well to Thomas Tuchel leaving him out of the England squad earlier on Friday. Coventry remain two points above the relegation zone and could fall into the bottom three come the end of the weekend.
Everton have jumped into fifth - leapfrogging rivals Liverpool for 48 hours at least. Reading on Sky Sports Scores? The Sky Sports app is better than ever - tap to find out why...
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