In a Premier League season where the title race hangs on a knife-edge, every decision matters. And this weekend, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) found itself at the heart of the action, with a series of high-stakes calls that could prove pivotal in determining whether Arsenal or Manchester City lift the trophy.
Arsenal See Red at Bournemouth
Arsenal’s trip to the south coast took a nightmarish turn on the half-hour mark. A misplaced back pass from Leandro Trossard sent AFC Bournemouth striker Evanilson racing through on goal, until William Saliba dragged him down. Referee Rob Jones reached for the yellow card, but VAR Jarred Gillett advised him to consult the pitchside monitor.
The replays were damning. With Evanilson poised to shoot and David Raya stranded, Saliba’s foul ticked all four boxes for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity: distance to goal, direction of play, likelihood of retaining possession, and location of defenders. The Frenchman saw red, Arsenal lost their defensive lynchpin, and the Cherries took full advantage to record a shock 2-0 win.
Chelsea Escape at Anfield
Twenty-four hours later, Liverpool welcomed Chelsea to Anfield for a clash steeped in top-four implications. Less than three minutes had elapsed when Reds forward Diogo Jota hit the turf, felled by Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
Unlike Saliba, Adarabioyo saw only yellow. VAR Stuart Attwell judged that while the Nigerian had denied a promising attack, the combination of distance from goal, direction of the ball, and a covering defender in Levi Colwill meant a sending off wasn’t warranted.
Fine margins, but two very different outcomes. For Mikel Arteta’s men, it was an afternoon to forget. For Graham Potter, a let-off as his side held on for a 1-1 draw.
– According to a source close to the PGMOL
City Leave It Late Against Wolves
Those fine margins were on full display at the Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City welcomed Wolverhampton Wanderers. With the clock ticking into the red and the scores level at 1-1, the champions won a corner. Up stepped John Stones to power home a header and send Pep Guardiola’s side to the summit.
Or so he thought. As the City players wheeled away in celebration, referee Chris Kavanagh consulted with his assistant about a possible offside against Bernardo Silva, who had collided with Wolves keeper José Sá in the build-up. 28 long seconds later, the goal was chalked off.
Enter VAR Stuart Attwell. Silva’s contact with Sá before the corner didn’t constitute an offense. And crucially, when Stones met the cross, the Portuguese wasn’t interfering with play from an offside position. He had moved to the side and crouched down, away from Sá’s line of vision. The goal stood, the Etihad erupted, City went top.
Yes, Silva makes contact with Sá. But it’s before the corner is taken, so he can’t be offside. When Stones scores, he’s not in the keeper’s sight line or making a clear attempt to play the ball. It’s a good goal.
– A source involved in the Premier League’s VAR process explained
Saints Fury at Leicester, Hammers Held by Spurs
Elsewhere, Southampton were left incensed after two pivotal VAR calls went against them in a 3-2 defeat at Leicester City. First, a potential equalizer from Paul Onuachu was ruled out when André Ayew was adjudged to have fouled keeper Mads Hermansen.
Then, with the scores tied at 2-2, Jamie Vardy was awarded a penalty and Ryan Fraser dismissed after VAR Alex Chilowicz ruled the Scot had denied the veteran striker a clear goal-scoring chance. Vardy converted the spot-kick to clinch victory for the Foxes and deepen Southampton’s relegation worries.
In Sunday’s late kick-off, West Ham thought they had snatched a precious point against Tottenham when Mohammed Kudus’ shot was blocked by the arm of Spurs wingback Destiny Udogie. But referee Andy Madley waved away the appeals and, with Udogie’s arm close to his body, VAR Chris Kavanagh saw no clear and obvious error. Spurs held on to cement their top-four spot as the Hammers were left frustrated.
Title on a Knife-Edge
As the dust settles on a dramatic weekend, the impact of these VAR calls could be seismic. Arsenal’s defeat, coupled with City’s last-gasp win, sees Guardiola’s side replace the Gunners at the top of the table by a single point.
With just five matches remaining, every decision, every goal, every point takes on monumental importance. The technology implemented to eradicate refereeing howlers and ensure a level playing field has again taken center-stage. Fans on all sides are left debating the whys and wherefores long after the final whistle.
These are the kind of decisions that can change seasons, even define eras. Yes, over 38 games you’d expect it to balance out. But right here, right now, with the finish line in sight? It just takes one controversial call, one red card or disallowed goal to shift the momentum irreversibly.
– An unnamed Premier League manager reflected post-match
In this relentless, unforgiving Premier League title race, fairness is the final frontier. Arteta and Guardiola will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of glory, and they’ll demand the officials do likewise. The technology is there to strip away subjectivity, to ensure it’s the players, not the refereeing calls, that prove decisive.
But football is a game of passion, of tension, of interpretation. For all VAR’s noble intentions, the grey areas remain. And in a contest this tight, this tense, those shades of grey could make all the difference. The Premier League has long prided itself on being the most exciting, unpredictable league in the world. In this season’s denouement, that reputation faces the ultimate VAR test.
