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VAR talking points: Gabriel Jesus handball and penalty debate

VAR talking points: Gabriel Jesus handball and penalty debate
© Reuters
Manchester City had a goal disallowed, Aston Villa and West Brom were denied penalties and Manchester United's was re-taken.

Saturday's Premier League games featured more refereeing and rules controversies and further debate around the VAR system.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the latest incidents.

Gabriel Jesus handball v Tottenham

PA graphic
PA graphic

Tottenham claimed a memorable 2-0 victory over Manchester City but it might have been a different story had a first-half strike from Aymeric Laporte, which would have made the score 1-1, been allowed to stand. Laporte clipped home what would have been his first goal of the season but replays were examined to see if striker Gabriel Jesus had handled in the build-up. Pictures were unclear as to where exactly the ball had struck the Brazilian as he brought it under control. After checking the pitchside monitor, referee Mike Dean determined Jesus' arm had been involved and the ball had hit it low enough, under current guidelines, to be considered handball.

Aston Villa penalty overturned v Brighton

Referee Michael Oliver changed his mind over the awarding of an Aston Villa penalty against Brighton
Referee Michael Oliver changed his mind over the awarding of an Aston Villa penalty against Brighton (Tim Keeton/PA)

Aston Villa thought they had been given a lifeline in their 2-1 loss against Brighton when referee Michael Oliver awarded them an injury-time penalty for a foul on Trezeguet by Solly March. However, the official decided to reverse his decision after being advised to consult the monitor by the VAR. Replays did suggest March had got some of the ball in his challenge on Trezeguet but there did also still appear to be contact. Villa boss Dean Smith was not convinced it was a clear and obvious error. "I don't know what a penalty is now," he said.

West Brom penalty overturned v Manchester United

West Brom boss Slaven Bilic was a frustrated figure during his side's loss to Manchester United
West Brom boss Slaven Bilic was a frustrated figure during his side's loss to Manchester United (Catherine Ivill/PA)

In the first of two key incidents in West Brom's 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford, the Baggies suffered similar frustration to Villa in having a penalty award rescinded. Referee David Coote initially gave the spot-kick after deeming Bruno Fernandes had caught Conor Gallagher but he changed his mind after watching replays, deciding the Portuguese had got some of the ball first.

Twice-taken Manchester United penalty v West Brom

Sam Johnstone saved from Bruno Fernandes' penalty but had moved off his line too soon
Sam Johnstone saved from Bruno Fernandes' penalty but had moved off his line too soon (Martin Rickett/PA)

United were also awarded a controversial penalty in the same game, although the award for handball against Darnell Furlong, despite being harsh, was consistent with similar decisions this season. The defender had been turning away to block Juan Mata's cross at point-blank range when it struck his arm. Further frustration for West Brom followed as Sam Johnstone saved Fernandes' spot-kick but a retake was ordered. The VAR had noticed the keeper had moved off his line. It was a harsh but correct call.

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Today's games header
Result
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5 4
Result
Navone
Popyrin
7 6
5 2
Result
Vukic
Daniel
2 77 1
6 61 6
Result
Bouzas Maneiro
Badosa
2 6 6
6 3 3
Result
Davis
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6 64 4
4 77 6
Result
Putintseva
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6 6
2 4
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Stephens
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6 5 6
3 7 4
Result
Zhu
Jimenez Kasintseva
4 3
6 6
Result
Altmaier
Landaluce
6 7
1 5
Result
Rinderknech
Shevchenko
4 7 3
6 5 6
Result
Safiullin
Seyboth Wild
4 4
6 6
Result
Arango
Anisimova
1 6 77
6 4 62
Result
Sorribes Tormo
Pera
7 6
5 2
Result
Zhang
Rogers
3 2
6 6
Result
Osaka
Minnen
6 6
4 1
Result
Vekic
Siegemund
6 6
1 2
Result
Darderi
Monfils
6 6
4 2
Result
Karatsev
Marozsan
66 62
78 77
Result
Van Assche
Bergs
6 60 6
4 77 1
Result
Linette
Cocciaretto
3 6 6
6 4 4
Result
Wang
Tomova
5 7 6
7 5 4
Result
Bai
Dolehide
3 3
6 6
Result
Dart
Bucsa
4 4
6 6
Result
Raducanu
Lourdes Carle
2 2
6 6
Result
Bronzetti
Gracheva
6 6
3 3
Result
Frech
Cristian
5 2
7 6
Result
Hibino
Krueger
4 4
6 6
Result
Coric
Hassan
65 7 6
77 5 3
Result
Kokkinakis
Draper
3 6 5
6 3 7
Result
Nakashima
Bagnis
3 65
6 77
Result
Van De Zandschulp
Eubanks
6 6
3 3
Result
Baptiste
Saville
4 65
6 77
Result
Bejlek
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6 3 3
Result
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3 7 7
6 5 5
Result
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6 6
2 2
Result
Klein
Llamas Ruiz
6 4 77
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Result
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6 68 4
3 710 6
Result
Moutet
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711 2 610
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4 6 3
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4 6 7
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


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