VAR penalty calls controversial
With VAR in its third weekend in the Premier League, Manchester City and Tottenham now know just how high the threshold is for penalty calls to be overturned by video reviews.
City were denied a penalty even when Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma stood on David Silva’s foot. The champions were leading at the time and Sergio Aguero went on to score his second goal in a 3-1 win.
But Tottenham had no such good fortune against Newcastle later on yesterday. Trailing to Joelinton’s goal, Spurs thought they had a great late chance to equalise when Harry Kane tumbled after being impeded in the penalty area by Jamaal Lascelles.
But referee Mike Dean had already let play continue without awarding a spot kick. And when the VAR review finally took place, the original decision was not overruled — indicating a lack of clear evidence the original decision was wrong — and Newcastle won 1-0.
Tottenham lost their first match of the season a week after VAR helped them gain a point at the Etihad Stadium when a City hand ball was spotted in the lead-up to what looked like being Gabriel Jesus’ late winner.
City manager Pep Guardiola is exasperated by how VAR is being applied.
“It was clear hands last game, clear hands [against Spurs]. A penalty [against Bournemouth]? No, please,” Guardiola said sarcastically. “The challenge this season will be amazing for us after winning back-to-back two titles, the challenge will be great.”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wasn’t going to blame the application of the new technology.
“I trust in the VAR,” Pochettino said. “I am happy to have VAR and more than happy that they check. But if it’s not a penalty, you keep going.”
There was one penalty awarded yesterday, enabling Wolverhampton to grab a 96th-minute equaliser against Burnley.
Unlike in the City and Tottenham games, referee Craig Pawson had already pointed to the spot when Raul Jimenez was fouled by Erik Pieters. Jimenez netted from the spot to cancel out Ashley Barnes’ strike and seal a 1-1 draw for Wolves.
● On his 400th City appearance, David Silva was as influential as ever in pulling the strings for his team.
With City already leading through Aguero’s strike, Silva slipped in the ball for Sterling to score his fifth goal in three league games.
It came just before Harry Wilson scored directly from a brilliant free kick to reduce the deficit back to a single goal before halftime.
Then, after Silva was denied a penalty after being caught by Lerma, the Spaniard jinked into the penalty area to set up Aguero for City’s third.
“He has a sense to move between the lines like nobody else in the world,” Guardiola said of Silva. “He is a fighter.”
● Tottenham look to Christian Eriksen to unpick teams like Silva does for City.
That’s when the Dane is starting. Eriksen was deployed only in the second half as doubts linger over his future ahead of the transfer window closing on the continent in a week.
“It is so difficult, the situation,” Pochettino said.
Unlike against Villa on opening day, when Eriksen inspired a comeback, Tottenham couldn’t find a way through a resolute Newcastle.