ALL hell broke loose in a crazy six-minute spell.
It was simply breathtaking but a whirlwind for referee Mike Dean because there was so much action going on in quick-fire time.
All hell broke loose as Spurs beat champions Man CityCredit: Reuters
I’ve not seen anything like that before — it was quite unbelievable.
Blimey, let’s start with the award of Manchester City’s penalty.
There was no way it should have taken VAR official Kevin Friend one minute and 55 seconds to come to a decision on this.
Tottenham right-back Serge Aurier had no chance of winning the ball because of the angle he challenged Sergio Aguero.
It was a clear penalty and Friend should have made the call after one look at Stockley Park. But as play continued, Friend would have been checking the incident and I saw Dean communicate with the VAR when he said: “He’s played the ball?”
Friend should have already alerted Dean to stop the game immediately in a neutral zone — as per the IFAB protocol.
The ball went into a neutral zone several times and Aguero knew he was fouled because he stayed on the ground, yet we had a ridiculous wait.
After the penalty award, the next issue was Hugo Lloris’ encroachment off his line. Had the Premier League followed the IFAB protocol on keeper movement off the line, then all of what followed could have been avoided.
Raheem Sterling went down after City’s missed penaltyCredit: Reuters
IFAB states that VAR checks the goal-line — but the Prem says the on-field assistant referee will deal with encroachment.
Lloris was a yard off the line and I feel Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty should have been retaken.
The rebound went to Raheem Sterling and he went down under Lloris’ challenge.
There was contact — but I wasn’t convinced there was enough for him to go down.
However, camera angles shown at half-time from behind the goal highlighted the contact from Lloris.
What we don’t know is whether the VAR official saw that particular angle straight away. Sterling going down sparked a melee — but I don’t think it was an act of simulation.
It was right that Sterling avoided a red card.
Overall, Dean handled all those flashpoints extremely well.
Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris saved from the spotCredit: EPA
Dean cautioned Oleksandr Zinchenko because he ran 60 yards to get involved. But the City left-back will regret it because he can have no complaints over his second caution.
Sterling was also fortunate not to receive a straight red card when he caught Dele Alli above the ankle.
Sterling got a toe to the ball but his momentum took him into the Tottenham star.
I’d ask: ‘Was it a challenge that endangered a player’s safety?’
Yes it was — and no different to the tackle Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang committed at Crystal Palace when he was red-carded.
THERE were two big penalty shouts in the win for LIVERPOOL over SOUTHAMPTON — and ref Kevin Friend and VAR official Simon Hooper got both wrong.
Shane Long committed a clear holding offence on Roberto Firmino and it was a clear penalty.
Friend should have seen the incident but I’m amazed VAR did not intervene as it was a clear error.
Long is lucky he was not red-carded because he denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Friend also missed a second spot-kick when Danny Ings was brought down by Fabinho.
The Saints striker went past Fabinho and the Liverpool midfielder lifted his leg up to catch Ings.
Why would Ings go down in that situation?
VAR should have spotted this.
I can understand the frustration of Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl because the incident changed the game at 0-0 and Liverpool went down the other end and scored.
There were two big penalty shouts in Liverpool’s win over Southampton – and Kevin Friend got both wrongCredit: Reuters
Brendan Rodgers thought LEICESTER deserved a late penalty against CHELSEA but I disagree.
I didn’t think it was a deliberate handball when Blues defender Antonio Rudiger blocked Harvey Barnes’ cross.
Ref Lee Mason was backed up by VAR official Graham Scott.
WEST HAM can feel hard done by over BRIGHTON’S first goal.
Glenn Murray deliberately impeded Lukasz Fabianski before he punched the ball onto Angelo Ogbonna, who scored an own goal. VAR official Andre Marriner should have helped ref Michael Oliver out.
Murray’s late equaliser appeared to hit his arm but the replay showed there was no contact so the right decision was made.
VAR was at its best when CRYSTAL PALACE defender Joel Ward got his red downgraded to a yellow card against SHEFFIELD UNITED.
Well done to VAR official Tim Robinson for suggesting a review.
Ref Andy Madley looked at the monitor and saw it was a reckless challenge by Ward on Enda Stevens rather than serious foul play.
And BOURNEMOUTH goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was very lucky not to concede a penalty.
He punched Bjorn Engels in the head after the ASTON VILLA defender had headed the ball goalwards.
A late aerial challenge by an outfield player would result in a free-kick.
So why is it seen any differently for a goalkeeper?
Footballer has red card changed to yellow after VAR but clashes with rival on return to pitch and is sent off… again!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
