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Video assistant referee decisions have performed strongly in the Premier League this season, with the Key Match Incidents Panel recording only two errors across the first eight rounds of matches compared to six mistakes at the same stage last year. However, a weekend filled with controversy across nearly every top-flight fixture threatens to test that record.
Manchester United 4-4 Aston Villa
A penalty was awarded to Manchester United in the 16th minute when Boubacar Kamara fouled Matheus Cunha, with replays showing initial contact on the Brazilian’s foot. BBC Sport notes the KMI Panel will likely view this spot-kick as correct. Later in the 96th minute, Patrick Dorgu scored an equaliser for United amid claims of a foul by Senne Lammens on Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. Given the higher bar for VAR interventions and minimal contact, the panel is unlikely to log this as an error.
Arsenal 1-0 Hull
Kai Havertz was pulled down inside the area by Nobel Mendy, prompting VAR Michael Oliver to send referee Farai Hallam to the pitchside monitor. The penalty was ultimately not given due to an offside offence by the German international. BBC Sport reports that because the foul occurred before any potential offside, the penalty should have been awarded, making this a likely mistake for the panel.
Leeds 1-0 Tottenham
Jayden Bogle fouled Mathys Tel, resulting in a free-kick from referee John Brooks but no disciplinary card. VAR Tony Harrington chose not to send the referee to the monitor for a potential red card. Because Bogle made contact with his supporting foot rather than his challenging foot, opinions are split among former professionals, meaning the panel’s verdict will depend on its specific members.
Everton 3-1 Coventry
Three contentious incidents occurred during Friday’s match. First, Coventry’s Caleb Yirenkyi appeared to have his hair pulled by James Tarkowski inside the area without a penalty being awarded, which the KMI Panel is expected to rule as an incorrect decision. Second, Vitalii Mykolenko clipped Taiwo Awoniyi near the edge of the box, with replays showing contact happened just before the line, making no penalty the likely correct call. Finally, Thierno Barry scored in the 61st minute for Everton despite a VAR check for a potential handball; because the VAR lacked super-zoom technology instantly, the lack of intervention will likely be supported in a potential split vote.
Brighton 2-0 Brentford and Crystal Palace 1-3 Liverpool
Brentford striker Igor Thiago received a red card following a VAR review for catching Chema Andres with his forearm. Although the striker may have lacked intent, the KMI Panel is likely to support the intervention because striking the head constitutes a red card unless the force is negligible. In the Crystal Palace versus Liverpool match, a penalty was awarded in stoppage time for a foul by Milos Kerkez on Dario Osorio. While it may be judged as an on-field error, it might fall short of the threshold for a VAR intervention.
Sunderland 0-1 Chelsea and Fulham 1-1 Newcastle
Cole Palmer went down on the edge of the area under a challenge from Luke O’Nien and Jules Ahoka, but referee Jarred Gillett waved play on. The KMI Panel is likely to support no penalty as there is no conclusive evidence of initial foul contact inside the area. Meanwhile, Newcastle saw a goal ruled out against Fulham following a foul by Yoane Wissa on Timothy Castagne, which is expected to be voted as a correct decision.
BBC Sport estimates that two decisions—failing to award penalties to Arsenal and Coventry—are very likely to be logged as VAR errors, while Barry’s goal and Bogle’s potential red card may also be classified as mistakes depending on the panel’s subjective opinions, bringing the potential weekend error total to between two and four.
