VAR

PIERS MORGAN has been left fuming with VAR after it failed to rule out Newcastle’s “just pathetic” goal against Arsenal.The Gunners lost their first match of the season after Anthony Gordon’s winner at St James’ Park.
Anthony Gordon gave Newcastle a controversial win over ArsenalCredit: Getty
VAR awarded the goal after checking if the ball had gone out of play in the build-upCredit: Sky Sports
However, his strike was only confirmed after three separate VAR checks from the officials which totalled four minutes and six seconds.
Replays were assessed at Stockley Park as the VAR officials checked whether the ball had gone out of play before looking at a possible foul and offside.
The ball had appeared to cross the touchline before it was crossed back into the Arsenal penalty area.
Gabriel then went to ground under the challenge of Joelinton before Gordon lashed the ball into an empty net.
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Despite the checks, the goal was eventually awarded, to the dismay of Gunners fan Morgan.
The broadcaster took to X, formerly Twitter, to react. He raged: “So we all just watched the ball go out of play, then Gabriel get fouled, and then a clear offside. But VAR still gave Newcastle the goal. Just pathetic.”
Another fan agreed, adding: “So, apart from the ball being out of play, a foul on Arsenal defender Gabriel and an offside VAR have given the goal to Newcastle. Shocking. Absolutely shocking.”
A third also wrote: “I give up. Refereeing just gets worse and worse every week. Absolutely embarrassing.”
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Joelinton’s challenge on Gabriel was also checked for a possible foulCredit: Sky Sports
Meanwhile, one more fumed: “That was the longest VAR check ever.”
According to the Sky Sports broadcast, the offside review could not rule out the goal as there was “no available angle to see the point of contact” from Joelinton.
As a result, the third and final VAR check again stuck with the referee’s on-field decision.
Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to pull themselves level after the controversial opener.
Despite a late push for an equaliser, Newcastle held on to claim all three points.
It had already been a busy evening for the VAR officials before Gordon’s goal.
Both Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes were lucky to avoid red cards during the first half.
VAR could not rule the goal out for offside as there was ‘no available angle to see the point of contact’Credit: Sky Sports
Havertz’s wild lunge earned him a yellow card despite the appeals of the Newcastle bench.
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His challenge was then followed by a rash elbow from Guimaraes, who smashed into the back of Jorginho after the ball had gone.
The Brazilian’s elbow went unpunished, though, with VAR checking the incident before waving play on. More

CHELSEA fans raged after being denied a “stonewall penalty” against Blackburn. The Blues were in with a shout for an early spot kick in Blackburn’s League Cup visit to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fans raged after being denied a ‘stonewall penalty’ against BlackburnCredit: Getty
Raheem Sterling broke into the 18-yard box with a strong run down the left side and was brought down.
But referee Tim Robinson waved off the calls only for replays to reveal the defender Lewis Travis’ sliding tackle was rash.
Travis in fact slid into Sterling, bringing down the forward – but Robinson instead gave a corner.
Play resumed with no VAR in use for the Carabao Cup – leaving Chelsea fans fuming.
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One said: “That’s a stonewall penalty on Sterling. Not given. No VAR.”
Another added: “How’s that not a penalty???”
One slammed: “Another clear penalty not given.”
Another hit out: “THATS A PENALTY ON STERLING AND OF COURSE THERES NO VAR.”
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The EFL in 2019 decided against VAR before the semi-final stage due to it only being available at Premier League venues.
But the system does get re-introduced in the last four and for the Wembley final, set for February 25 this season.
Sterling later celebrated as Benoit Badiashile broke the deadlock on the half hour mark.
And the England international doubles the Blues lead after an hour as his effort curled into the top corner to send Chelsea into the quarters.
Raheem Sterling celebrates his goalCredit: Getty More

VAR controversy plagued Bournemouth’s win over Burnley as the longest check ever saw a goal ruled out before being given and then they chalked off once again.Burnley forward Jay Rodriguez thought he had scored a late equaliser after slotting past goalkeeper Ionuț Radu.
Jay Rodriguez was judged to be offside by the tightest of margins
The VAR check lasted five minutesCredit: PA
Rodriguez thought he had scored a late equaliser for BurnleyCredit: Reuters
But the linesman raised his flag to signal the 34-year-old was offside.
The incident was reviewed by VAR and replays showed there were millimetres between Rodriguez and the last defender.
VAR officials Michael Salisbury and Nick Hopton initially thought the linesman had made the wrong call so advised the decision should be overturned.
But after further inspection the VAR decided Rodriguez was marginally offside, so the goal was not allowed to stand.
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The fiasco lasted five minutes – making it the longest VAR check in Prem history.
The previous record stood at three minutes and 45 seconds, when David McGoldrick had a goal disallowed for Sheffield United against Tottenham in November 2019.
Bournemouth boss Androni Iraola revealed he spoke to the officials while the check was being made and told them to take their time.
He said: “I don’t know how many [minutes] it was. I was telling them take your time, but make the right call. We don’t want to receive the apologies.”
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Fortunately the correct decision was made on this occasion with Bournemouth picking up their first win of the season as a result.
The three points lift the Cherries out of the relegation zone, with Burnley still in the bottom three. More