MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 20:09:17| >> :600:142419581:142419581:

VAR: Tottenham and Chelsea count the cost

VAR: Tottenham and Chelsea count the cost
© Reuters
Technology took centre stage again this weekend.

VAR played a significant part over the Premier League weekend, with decisions having important consequences for both Tottenham and Chelsea.

Here, the PA news agency looks back over the talking points caused by the technology.

A Serge of discontent

Serge Aurier's celebrations at Leicester were cut short
Serge Aurier's celebrations at Leicester were cut short (Joe Giddens/PA).

Harry Kane's finish off the floor after he had stumbled through two challenges had given Spurs the lead before they were denied a second goal. Serge Aurier fired in midway through the second half but, after two minutes of deliberation, VAR ruled that Son Heung-min was millimetres offside and it was disallowed. Ricardo Pereira equalised before James Maddison fired in the winner with five minutes remaining, leaving Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino to rue the VAR decision. The Argentinian claimed the decision had given the Foxes the belief they needed to go on and win the game.

Stamford Bridge of sighs

Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had scored Chelsea's equaliser but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review
Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had scored Chelsea's equaliser but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review (Nick Potts/PA)

Chelsea were a goal down to Trent Alexander-Arnold's stunning strike and were further frustrated when they thought they had equalised, only to be denied by VAR. Cesar Azpilicueta fired home from close range after the ball had ricocheted around the Liverpool area. But referee Michael Oliver indicated the goal was going to be checked and Mason Mount was adjudged offside early in the move which led to the goal. To rub salt into Chelsea's wounds, Liverpool swiftly grabbed a second goal through Roberto Firmino en route to a 2-1 victory.

Spot of dissatisfaction for Dyche

Sean Dyche was unhappy not to be awarded a penalty against Norwich
Sean Dyche was unhappy not to be awarded a penalty against Norwich (Richard Sellers/PA)

Burnley enjoyed a 2-0 win over Norwich, but the margin of victory could have been even greater. Clarets boss Sean Dyche was left baffled by two decisions from referee David Coote, first in turning down a penalty appeal when Ashley Barnes appeared to be felled by Ben Godfrey and then not showing a second yellow card to Ibrahim Amadou for a crude foul on Jay Rodriguez. "I'm a big fan of VAR but I don't know where it lives if that's not a penalty," Dyche said after the match at Turf Moor. "And when I see people rolling all over the floor every week and their lad's battered Dwight (McNeil) and then battered Jay Rod and doesn't get a second yellow... Another day that might affect the game."

King misses out but Cherries on top

At least Joshua King was able to celebrate Callum Wilson's goal in the win over Southampton
At least Joshua King was able to celebrate Callum Wilson's goal in the win over Southampton (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Joshua King was denied a goal in the win over Southampton at St Mary's which would have made their margin of victory even greater. King's strike in the 25th minute was ruled out for offside by VAR but the Cherries were 3-1 winners anyway. Nathan Ake, Harry Wilson and Callum Wilson were on target for Bournemouth, with Southampton's reply coming from a James Ward-Prowse penalty.

ID:372459: cacheID:372459:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9203:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard before the match against Feyenoord on September 19, 2019
Read Next:
Steven Gerrard reserves special praise for "outstanding" Steven Davis
>
Read more about VAR Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!