Everton simply had to win yesterday’s match against Nottingham Forest, and through two fine long-range efforts, they did just that.
And yet, despite a resolute defensive display from Sean Dyche’s side to put themselves in a real position of strength for Premier League survival, the headlines have instead been dominated by VAR drama.
However, that should come as no surprise.
On three occasions was Ashley Young involved in those contentious moments, and all three times he got away with it.
Now, every pundit under the sun is seeking to offer their verdict on those key flashpoints.
Danny Murphy reacts to Everton VAR controversy
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day last night, unsurprisingly their post-match assessment of Everton’s win focused on the VAR controversy.
And Danny Murphy, reacting to Nottingham Forest’s inexplicable statement condemning the PGMOL, was left particularly baffled by their antics.
He noted: ‘It’s a bizarre situation, and one that’s shocked us all really. I mean there was some poor decision-making, we’re going to go through that in a second.
‘I think the response was strange, because I don’t see what they think they’re going to achieve from it.
‘I don’t go along with that [that VAR was unfair because he was a Luton Town fan]. I’ve always felt that our referees over the years, no matter where they were from or who they supported, have tried to do the best job they could.
‘Now there has been some really bad officiating this season and a lot of incompetency. Today was the same.’
Match of the Day pundits jump to Everton’s defence
Both Murphy and Phil Jagielka would then go on to comb through those three Forest penalty shouts, with the duo actually supporting Everton more than some might expect.
Naturally, the former Toffees centre-back was much more sympathetic, and put himself in Young’s shoes for the three incidents of which he was involved in them all.
The handball in particular saw Murphy and Jagielka agree that it would have been harsh, and the first tackle was chalked down to the referee feeling like Gio Reyna had made a meal of the situation.
However, neither could defend the final one, condemning the 38-year-old for the rash manner in which he went through the back of Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Fortunately for Everton, the referee aligned with them throughout the match.
But had the shoe been on the other foot, the angered outpouring would have been similarly catastrophic. Perhaps without an embarrassing post-match condemnation of VAR, though.