Bitter Benitez in plea for VAR

London – Rafael Benitez called on Sunday for the immediate introduction of video assistant referees after his 10-man Newcastle side slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Wolves following Matt Doherty’s stoppage-time winner.

Martin Dubravka made a superb save to deny Diogo Jota from ending a mazy run with what would have been a sensational winner but had to look on helplessly as Doherty headed the rebound into the empty net.

Furious Benitez made the plea after DeAndre Yedlin was sent off for hauling back Jota after being caught in possession 56 minutes into the defeat, which left the Magpies three points from the drop.

Benitez was also convinced that Willy Boly should have been given a red card and Newcastle a penalty after the Frenchman caught Ayoze Perez with a flying elbow.

“It was an elbow in the face, he was bleeding – it was so obvious,” said Benitez.

“But I have seen the replay. You can see the replay and see the face of the player and after what happened. Anyone can see that, so we need VAR (video assistant referees).”

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo felt the sending-off was justified and the elbow by Boly accidental.

“It’s an elbow, it’s a clear elbow on Ayoze,” he said. “But from my point of view, not being over-protective, he (Boly) jumps for the ball and he doesn’t see him, so it’s not intentional.”

VAR is set to be introduced to the Premier League from next season after clubs “agreed in principle” to the move last month.

The system is already being used in leagues around Europe, including Italy’s Serie A and French Ligue 1, and was used at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. –