Wolves manager Gary O’Neil has been contacted by the Football Association in the wake of his side’s controversial 2-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon. The Wolves boss was frustrated after John Stones headed in a late winner for the visitors, with the goal awarded after referee Chris Kavanagh was advised to review the incident by VAR.
City midfielder Bernardo Silva was stood in front of goalkeeper Jose Sa as a late corner was swung in and the goal was initially chalked off. However, a review by the Stockley Park and on-field officials adjudged that the Portugal international was not in the goalkeeper’s eyeline as he moved away from the Wolves man and ducked to try and take himself out of play.
Speaking at full-time, O’Neil suggested there was a bias towards bigger clubs – although did not say it was deliberate. He said: “There’s no chance people are purposely against Wolves, let’s be clear. But is there something in the subconscious around the decision making – without even knowing it are you more likely to give it to Man City than Wolves?
Wolves did lead a Premier League wide vote in the summer to scrap VAR although it did not get sufficient backing with the technology remaining in place. With that in mind, we looked at how the early table might look without VAR. By factoring in decisions leading to or cancelling out goals – here’s where every club might stand, including Aston Villa and Wolves.
Premier League table without VAR
20th – Wolves, 2 points (+1)
Wolves would have claimed a point at Manchester City on Sunday if VAR had not intervened and ruled that John Stones’ 95th minute winner should stand.
19th – Southampton, 2 point (+1)
VAR had a role to play as the Saints threw away a 2-0 lead against Leicester City at the weekend. One of the Foxes’ three goals came after VAR deemed that Ryan Fraser had pulled Jamie Vardy back, the veteran striker scoring from the spot kick.
18th – Crystal Palace, 2 points (-1)
Without VAR, Palace would be a point worse off after Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal was awarded after an incorrect offside in their 2-2 draw with Leicester City.
17th – Ipswich Town, 4 points
There has been the one VAR decision against the Premier League new boys but it came in a game they lost 4-1 at Man City.
16th – Everton, 10 points (+2)
Abdoulaye Doucouré’s goal against Newcastle United was ruled out for offside just before the international break in a game that ended 0-0.
15th – Leicester City, 9 points
VAR intervened to award the penalty that helped the Foxes turn a draw into a win against Southampton. However, those extra two points can be viewed as payback for a Crystal Palace leveller corrected after an incorrect offside.
14th – West Ham, 8 points
No VAR overturns leading to goals for the Hammers so far. Although, Mohamed Kudus was sent off against Tottenham Hotspur after a review in a game the Hammers were already losing 4-1.
13th – Brentford, 10 points
VAR awarded the Bees a penalty against Wolves in the eight-goal thriller before the international break. Bryan Mbeumo scored it as the hosts won 5-3.
12th – Newcastle United, 10 points (-2)
The Magpies earned a draw at Bournemouth but only after VAR intervened to rule out a late winner for the home side. Everton also had a goal ruled out by VAR ahead of the international break.
11th – Manchester United, 12 points (+1)
The Red Devils would have likely picked up at least an extra point with a draw against Brighton should a Joshua Zirkzee goal have stood. Instead, it was ruled out for offside.
10th – Nottingham Forest, 13 points
Forest earned a point against Bournemouth but only after Dango Ouattara had a goal disallowed for an offside against Lewis Cook. However, they were also denied a point late last month after VAR awarded a penalty to Fulham – scored by Raúl Jiménez – for a foul by Murillo on Andreas Pereira. Fulham won the game 1-0. So overall they have gained one point and lost one through VAR calls.
9th – Tottenham Hotspur, 13 points
VAR has yet to overturn any decisions for or against Spurs leading to goals this season.
8th – Brighton, 13 points (-2)
Brighton currently sit on 15 points but that total would be reduced to 13 without the intervention of VAR to disallow Joshua Zirkzee’s goal for Manchester United against the Seagulls. Brighton won that fixture 2-1 in the end. Had one VAR decision go against them and one for them in their opening-day win over Everton as they went on to win 3-0.
7th – Fulham, 13 points (+2)
Fulham beat Leicester City 2-1 earlier in the season with the Foxes’ goal initially ruled out for an offside against Jamie Vardy. However, after a check Wout Faes was able to celebrate an equaliser but Fulham battled back to earn all three points. Earned all three points late last month against Nottingham Forest after VAR intervened in a penalty award for a foul by Murillo on Andreas Pereira. Raúl Jiménez scored it for a 1-0 win. Fulham, however, missed a penalty last weekend against Villa after it was awarded by VAR.
6th – Chelsea, 14 points
VAR did help Chelsea against Liverpool, overturning a disallowed Nicholas Jackson goal and penalty against Robert Sanchez, but the Reds still emerged victors.
5th – AFC Bournemouth, 15 points (+4)
The Cherries could have had a strong record if not for VAR. Dango Ouattara has had two goals ruled out by Stockley Park with a controversial handball decision denying him the glory in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United as his stoppage-time winner was chalked off. Against Nottingham Forest a week previous, he saw a goal ruled out for an offside against Lewis Cook. That game also finished 1-1. Also had a goal ruled out for offside in a 3-0 loss to Liverpool but VAR played a role helping them to a win against 10-man Arsenal on Saturday.
4th – Aston Villa, 17 points
VAR awarded Fulham a penalty against the Villains last weekend, which Emi Martinez saved against Andreas Pereira. Villa went on to secure a solid 3-1 win.
3rd – Arsenal, 17 points
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VAR overturned a decision for the first time in an Arsenal game before the recent international break as Kai Havertz’s 99th minute goal against Leicester City was given after an incorrect offside. VAR also played a role in Saliba’s controversial red card against Bournemouth.
2nd – Manchester City, 18 points (-2)
VAR helped Manchester City to three points against Wolves by allowing the Stones winner. The two sides would have shared a point each if not for that late decision.
1st – Liverpool, 21 points
VAR chalked off Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Manchester United for an offside by Mo Salah. Didn’t impact the result in the end, however. Bournemouth also had an early goal ruled out against the Reds for an offside against Antoine Semenyo but Liverpool went on to claim a 3-0 victory. VAR also ruled against them twice last weekend against Chelsea, as a Reds penalty was cancelled out and a Chelsea goal given but Liverpool managed a 2-1 win in the end.
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