Everton have made a formal complaint to Richard Masters over the VAR decision that denied them a penalty during their Saturday evening clash against Manchester City, according to The Athletic.

Pep Guardiola’s side went home with all three points against relegation-threatened Everton in a match that, looking back, could prove crucial in shaping both ends of the table.

The complaint, made by Everton chief executive officer Denise Barrett-Baxendale to both Richard Master, demands an apology to Blues manager Frank Lampard and his team. Everton are understood to be unhappy with the standards of officiating in recent matches involving the club.

Frank Lampard didn’t shy away from questioning the VAR official Chris Kavanaugh in his post-match press conference. “It's completely on Chris Kavanagh because the referee couldn't see it on the pitch...[It’s] Incompetence at best, at worst, who knows?" said the former Chelsea skipper. 

Everton currently find themselves in 17th position in the Premier League table, having a point more than Sean Dyche’s Burnley with the same amount of games played.