5 instances in the PL this season where VAR would have made a difference
Season after season, we witness a number of wrong calls that ultimately cost the teams in the Premier League. No matter how efficient and skilled the referees are, they are only human and are bound to make mistakes.
The Premier League finally announced that the committee will introduce the Video Analysis Referee (VAR) from the 2019/20 season. A number of poor calls in the first 12 gameweeks and a furious Charlie Austin seem to have led to the decision.
Teams have already lost or picked up points in an unfair manner this season due to wrong refereeing decisions made on the field and here we take a look at 5 such instances.
Sadio Mane’s misfortune against Arsenal
Mane seemed to have opened the scoring for Liverpool in the first half, only for his goal to be deemed offside by the linesman. Roberto Firmino’s initial shot came off the crossbar but Mane was on hand to tuck home the rebound.
Mane was offside during the first phase when Firmino received the ball but he was onside when the shot came off the bar. Had VAR been in use, it would have definitely been given as a goal.
Austin’s disallowed goal against Watford
A fuming Charlie Austin questioned the referees and baulked at how they cost them the points after his goal was ruled out for offside against Watford. In fact, the club hilariously posted on social media that it was the striker’s angry rant that prompted the FA to introduce the VAR system.
Austin could have put his team in the lead but Maya Yoshida was judged to be offside. Referee Sim Hooper felt Austin’s shot took a deflection off Yoshida but it actually came off a Watford player. Replays clearly showed the Southampton player didn’t touch the ball and had VAR been around, the goal would have stood.
Young’s handball against Newcastle United
Newcastle United romped to a 2-0 lead against the Red Devils a few weeks ago only for Mourinho’s men to mount a massive comeback in the second half. But there was a moment when Jonjo Shelvey’s free-kick hit Ashley Young on the arm before it went out of play.
Referee Anthony Taylor immediately awarded a goal kick and not even a corner. Had VAR been in play, the Red Devils may have had to come back from three goals down.
Aubameyang aided by an offside goal against Everton
His goal against Everton was not the decider but it definitely put the game to bed at the Emirates Stadium. Replays showed that when Aaron Ramsey played the pass to the Gabon international, he was offside and the goal shouldn’t have stood.
These slight lapses of concentration have often made a big difference in games.
Boly’s helping hand against Manchester City
Newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers are one of the only two teams to have stopped Manchester City from winning a game this season. They picked up a hard-fought draw against the defending champions and Willy Boly was the hero on the day.
But the centre-back turned the ball into the net at the back post with his hand, a moment that went completely unnoticed by the officials. Had VAR been in play, Manchester City would have probably wrapped up another routine win.