Wolves expressed strong dissatisfaction with the VAR officials following their defeat to Manchester City over the weekend. The Football Association reached out to Wolves manager Gary O’Neil in the aftermath of their contentious 2-1 loss to Manchester City. O’Neil was visibly frustrated as John Stones scored a late winning goal for City, a decision influenced by a VAR review prompted by referee Chris Kavanagh.
The controversy stemmed from City’s Bernardo Silva obstructing Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa during a corner kick. Initially disallowed, the goal was later given after a review determined that Silva did not impede Sa’s vision intentionally. O’Neil insinuated that there might be a subconscious bias favoring bigger clubs in officiating decisions, although he did not explicitly accuse any deliberate partiality.
In questioning if there existed an unconscious preference towards top clubs like Manchester City in officiating, O’Neil highlighted the heightened scrutiny faced by Wolves during such matches. Despite Wolves leading a vote to abolish VAR in the Premier League during the summer, the technology remains intact. Considering the impact of VAR on key decisions, we explore how the league standings might differ without VAR interventions, with Wolves attaining a crucial point against Manchester City had the VAR decision been different.
In this alternate scenario, table adjustments place various teams like Southampton and Crystal Palace in altered positions based on VAR-influenced outcomes. Ipswich Town’s limited encounter with VAR is noted, whereas Everton’s higher point tally without VAR raises the debate on the technology’s impact on match results.
Abdoulaye Doucouré’s goal against Newcastle United was disallowed for offside just before the recent international break in a match that ended in a 0-0 draw. Leicester City is currently in 15th place with 9 points.
VAR overturned a decision to award a penalty that helped Leicester City defeat Southampton, turning a draw into a victory. This action may be seen as compensation for a prior Crystal Palace goal that was corrected due to an erroneous offside call.
West Ham, in 14th place with 8 points, has not had any VAR decisions leading to goals in their favor. Mohamed Kudus was red-carded against Tottenham Hotspur in a match that was already 4-1 in favor of the opponents.
Brentford, in 13th place with 10 points, benefited from VAR by receiving a penalty in their match against Wolves, which helped them secure a 5-3 victory.
Newcastle United, in 12th place with 10 points (after deducting 2 due to VAR decisions), had a late winner disallowed by VAR in their game against Bournemouth and also saw an Everton goal canceled by VAR before the international break.
Manchester United, in 11th place with 12 points, had a goal ruled out for offside, potentially costing them an extra point in a match against Brighton.
Nottingham Forest, in 10th place with 13 points, experienced a mix of VAR decisions, gaining and losing points due to disallowed goals and awarded penalties.
Tottenham Hotspur, in 9th place with 13 points, has not had any VAR decisions impacting their goal-scoring this season.
Brighton, in 8th place with 13 points (reduced to 13 after VAR intervention in a match against Manchester United), saw a goal disallowed by VAR helping them secure victory in that fixture.
Fulham, in 7th place with 13 points (gaining 2 through VAR interventions), secured wins by challenging VAR decisions against both Leicester City and Nottingham Forest. They also won against Villa, but missed a penalty awarded by VAR in the recent game.
6th – Chelsea, 14 points
VAR did intervene in favor of Chelsea in their match against Liverpool, overturning a disallowed goal by Nicholas Jackson and penalty decision against Robert Sanchez. Despite this, Liverpool ultimately emerged as the victors.
In 5th place is AFC Bournemouth with 15 points (+4). Bournemouth’s strong record was marred by VAR decisions, with Dango Ouattara having two goals disallowed due to controversial rulings by Stockley Park. These decisions included a handball call in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United and an offside ruling in a previous match against Nottingham Forest, which also ended 1-1. Additionally, a goal against Liverpool was ruled out for offside, but VAR helped them secure a win against 10-man Arsenal.
In 4th place is Aston Villa with 17 points. VAR awarded a penalty to Fulham against Villa, which Emi Martinez saved, leading to Villa’s 3-1 victory.
In 3rd place is Arsenal with 17 points. VAR reversed a decision in Arsenal’s favor for the first time when Kai Havertz’s late goal against Leicester City was allowed after an incorrect offside call. VAR also played a part in a controversial red card for Saliba against Bournemouth.
In 2nd place is Manchester City with 18 points (-2). VAR played a crucial role in granting Manchester City three points against Wolves by approving the match-winning goal by Stones.
In 1st place is Liverpool with 21 points. VAR disallowed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal against Manchester United but did not affect the final result. Liverpool also benefited from VAR decisions in matches against Bournemouth and Chelsea but still managed to secure victories.
