DEULOFEU BEWITCHES WOLVES AGAIN AS NUNO SLAMS VAR
AFTER tormenting Wolves in an FA Cup semi-final last season, Gerard Deulofeu did it again to inspire ten-man Watford to a vital victory. But his match-winning display was accompanied by yet more VAR controversy. Deulofeu scored the first and created the second for Abdoulaye Doucoure as the Hornets overcame a VAR-assisted red card for Christian Kabasele to make it ten points from four matches over Christmas under new boss Nigel Pearson. Pedro Neto’s deflected strike couldn’t save Wolves from a second successive loss following their 1-0 defeat at Liverpool. Kabasele’s sending-off in the 69th minute — changed from a yellow to a red by Andrew Madley after VAR determined the defender had denied Diogo Jota a clear goalscoring chance — did not distract Watford from their bid to climb out of the bottom three. Pearson has instigated quite a change. ‘I never thought I’d get another chance in the Premier League,’ he admitted. ‘I wasn’t looking to get back into management in the UK, but a Premier League job changes the complexion. I’m surprised to be enjoying it as much as I am. ‘It would be foolish to think the job is over, far from it — but we have more of a chance now of getting back into contact with the pack.’
Even though the VAR decision worked in Wolves’ favour, boss Nuno Espirito Santo remains worried about the technology. ‘The Premier League is known for having good referees and we should trust the decisions they make in the game,’ he insisted. ‘Whether it is for my team or against us is not the point. ‘One of the things that disappoints me is when the crowd starts singing — this is a clear sign. The referee should improve, VAR should improve.’