Yet more VAR confusion!

MANCHESTER CITY were at the heart of a bizarre VAR confusion during — and after — their victory.

VAR Jon Moss spent two-and-a-half minutes deciding whether David Silva had got a touch on Kevin De Bruyne’s strike, which would have seen Raheem Sterling ruled offside and the goal disallowed.

Silva celebrated but VAR awarded the goal after deciding there was no clear proof of a touch, only for the Goal Accreditation Panel to give it to Silva after the game.

Villa boss Dean Smith was furious: ‘Giving it to De Bruyne was probably a get-out because there’s no doubt Silva goes away celebrating, which is the giveaway.’

Even De Bruyne said he was not claiming the goal: ‘No I don’t think so, David said he touched it.’

THE VAR used every available angle and there was no definitive evidence to show that Silva touched the ball. The Goal Accreditation Panel is an independent panel of experts made up of former referees, players and managers and has no affiliation with VAR.

VAR and the panel used the same camera angles. However, VAR can only use the pictures available while the panel can consider celebrations and post-match interviews. The panel voted 2-1 in favour of Silva.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE curls the ball into the box and it flashes past David Silva and Raheem Sterling (left, circled) before going into the net for Manchester City’s second goal.

Silva celebrates the goal and appears to tell the referee and his team-mates that he got a touch.

The VAR has to check if Silva got a touch on the ball, as Sterling was onside when De Bruyne played it into the box but in an offside position at the point Silva claimed to have touched it (left).

After two and a half minutes, the goal is awarded and De Bruyne is credited with it.

City go on to win 3-0 before Silva is later awarded the goal.