VAR

WEST BROM midfielder Matheus Pereira was sent off for kicking out at Patrick van Aanholt during the Baggies’ 5-1 thrashing by Crystal Palace.
The Brazilian lost his head at the Hawthorns after 34 minutes and was shown a red card after a lengthy VAR check.

Matheus Pereira was sent off for this kick on Patrick van Aanholt

Palace left-back Van Aanholt caught Pereira, 24, with a late challenge midway inside the Eagles’ half.
But on the way down, Pereira kicked out with both feet and his right one caught the Dutchman on the hip.
Van Aanholt, 30, did not make a meal of it but clutched his midriff as he walked back into position
And while play was stopped, VAR Michael Oliver recommended Paul Tierney check the pitch side monitor.

After watching the replay four times at a variety of speeds and angles, Tierney strode over and ordered Pereira off the pitch.
The Baggies were level at the time after Conor Gallagher had cancelled out Darnell Furlong’s own-goal which had given the visitors the lead after eight minutes.
But Slaven Bilic’s men completely lost the plot after half-time and conceded FOUR times to lose 5-1.
Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke both scored twice as Roy Hodgson’s men ran riot.

Not being biased but he doesn’t actually kick out! His legs are up in the air from falling and very slight movement towards the player 🤷🏼‍♂️
— Jamie Thatcher 💭 (@JamieThatcher1) December 6, 2020

Fans were split after the incident with Darren Hanmer tweeting: “Never a red card. Inconsistencies again with VAR.”
Benjamin simply wrote: “Definitely is.”
And Cam sat on the fence and said: “Bit of a tough one but can see why he’s given it.”
VAR was at the centre of another huge controversy on Saturday when Paul Pogba’s goal against West Ham was not ruled out despite the ball clearly going out of play in the build up.
The Red Devils had gone 1-0 down at the London Stadium before Pogba levelled with a stunning, controlled strike from range after 65 minutes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team eventually won 3-1 but they were helped on their way by Pogba’s equaliser which should have been ruled out.

Dean Henderson’s ball clearly went out for a throw in.
The clearance curled out of play before eventually finding Bruno Fernandes, who teed up Pogba.
Fans inside the ground were shown a sign which read: “VAR checking goal, possible ball out of play.”
But somehow officials made another huge gaffe and the goal stood.
Match of the Day technology later revealed that the ball had gone out of play – by a clear margin.
Pundit Danny Murphy said: “You can see there Gary (Lineker), the linesman wasn’t actually looking up at the ball.”
And West Ham manager David Moyes, called it a ‘poor decision’ after the match.

David Moyes is adamant that the ball appeared to go out of play for Man Utd goal More

JAMIE CARRAGHER joked that Gary Neville was a ‘milk monitor’ in his school days for backing VAR offside calls.
The pundits clashed on Monday Night Football over how technology is changing refereeing decisions.

Jamie Carragher teased his Sky Sports colleague for acting like a ‘milk monitor’

Gary Neville insisted offside calls will ‘always’ be tight when reviewed by VAR

Aston Villa’s defeat at West Ham came after Ollie Watkins’ late equaliser was ruled out by a tight offside call.
Dean Smith was unhappy when VAR officials measured two defenders against the Villa striker but did not check for a potential penalty against him.
Back in the studio, Manchester United legend Neville, 45, had little sympathy for offside calls being a matter of inches.
Carragher asked his colleague: “So you don’t mind people being given offside by an inch?”

Neville replied: “It will always be an inch – it will always be an inch offside.”
To which Carragher, 42, shot back: “I bet he was the milk monitor at school.”
West Ham won the game 2-1, thanks in part to the decision, and Neville felt that sport often comes down to these fine details.
He continued: “It was always an inch.

Aston Villa were left fuming with the offside call against Ollie WatkinsCredit: Sky Sports

The Premier League side also felt a penalty shout had been ignored in Monday’s defeat to West Ham

“Precision in sport, it’s right. Whether it’s a 100-metre race or a Grand National, it can be [won] by inches.”
Liverpool hero Carragher railed against VAR during the discussion and stated that referees had become ‘obsessed’ with certain decisions.
He declared: “This was brought in to help referees, and we were all calling for it, because referees need help.
“I actually think in some ways, it’s exposed referees. I don’t think it’s been as big a help to them.
“They’re having a second look at incidents and they’re so obsessed with something that they don’t see the bigger picture.
“It’s the pressure of looking at something, they’re so obsessed with looking for that offside and getting the lines right that they miss the foul.

When the referee goes to the screen he isn’t checking a mistake, he is getting told by Stockley Park where the infringement is.
Jamie Carragher

“I don’t think it’s been a massive help for them and this nonsense of going to the screen has got to stop.
“I know for a fact, when the referee goes to the screen he is not looking if he has made a mistake, he is getting told by Stockley Park where the infringement is.”
Neville insisted that issues are down to referees’ lack of confidence in themselves – with baffling decisions emphasised by recent rule changes.
The change in the handball law has meant offsides are measured against shirt sleeves, as was the case in Watkins’ disallowed goal.
He added: “Going to the screen isn’t the problem.
“What’s happening now is referees’ authority is being questioned, their credibility is being questioned and they are even doubting themselves.
“The referees going to the screen is not the problem, the referees going to the screen and not sticking with the decision if it’s right is the problem.
“It’s the application of technology that is the big problem at this moment in time.

“Or the rule itself – the handball rule is a nonsense, the offside rule about the arm is a nonsense. Those two rules need changing.
“At that point VAR will become more acceptable.
“And the referees, when they go over to the screen, they have to have the nerve to say to that guy in Stockley Park: No.”

Crystal Palace star Andros Townsend wants the Premier League to scrap VAR now More

PETER CROUCH blasted VAR after Brighton were awarded a last-gasp penalty against Liverpool.
Referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot after going to the pitchside monitor to review a previously unseen piece of contact between Andy Robertson and Danny Welbeck.

Peter Crouch was not impressed after VAR awarded Brighton a late penalty against Liverpool

In clearing the ball, Robertson had clipped Brighton newboy Welbeck, prompting Atwell to award a penalty which Pascal Gross duly converted to snatch a late 1-1 draw for the Seagulls.
Speaking on BT Sport, Crouch said: “I don’t like it, I am not a fan of it at all.
“In the speed of the game I don’t think Brighton would have had any complaints at all.
“But when you slow it down and look at it forensically it is a penalty. Welbeck gets there first and there is contact.

“But in the cold light of day without the replay we would have just played on.”
Joe Cole echoed his BT colleague’s sentiments: “With offside it is black and white, but for situations like that, I didn’t even see Welbeck calling for it, but it is a penalty.”
Crouch added: “Ten years ago it happens and we move on as there is not as much scrutiny.
“But today, the referee goes over to the screen and he makes his decision.”

Brighton manager Graham Potter conceded after the game: “It wasn’t the most stonewall penalty I’ve seen.”
Liverpool also saw two goals ruled out after offside reviews, only adding to manager Jurgen Klopp’s frustrations.
Former referee Peter Walton admitted he has found VAR’s usage in the Premier League confusing.
Walton said: “I’ve got to recalibrate my thinking.
“VAR was brought in for clear and obvious errors, just because there is contact, it doesn’t mean it is a foul. 
“You can clearly see there is contact and you can give the penalty for that but the point I am trying to make is does VAR need to intervene for that?
“You should be refereeing in the context of the game.”

Peter Crouch brutally mocks Man Utd’s penalty count and Arsenal’s empty Emirates alongside wife Abbey Clancy in ad More

NICOLAS PEPE was slammed by a fuming Mikel Arteta for headbutting Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski in Arsenal’s fiery 0-0 draw at Elland Road.
The Gunners winger was clearly frustrated with the North Macedonia ace during the clash.

Nicolas Pepe was sent off for a stupid headbutt on Ezgjan AlioskiCredit: Reuters

Arsenal’s record signing was caught out by the video replays at Elland RoadCredit: Sky Sports

And with the ball elsewhere, he confronted Alioski and stupidly pushed his head into his opponent’s forehead five minutes into the second half.
The Leeds man went down clutching his head with Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson on the ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistle to stop play after not seeing the incident live.
But after just a brief look at the VAR monitor, his decision was easy and he showed Pepe the red card.

Replays later on the half showed Pepe and Alioski tussling a few minutes prior to the red-card incident.
And the next time they came back together, they both pushed out their arms before Pepe took the bait.
Gary Neville, on co-commentary for Sky Sports, called the action: “It’s Pepe and Alioski. Has Pepe reacted? He’s wandering back towards the Leeds man.
“Oh… he might be in a bit of trouble. Yes, he’s in trouble.

Replays showed the winger throw his head into the forehand of his opponentCredit: Sky Sports

Anthony Taylor only needed a brief look at the VAR monitorCredit: Reuters

“He’s reacted to the initial contact and Alioski just stands his ground and the head comes towards him. He’s done.”
Pepe had no complaints when the red card was brandished and trudged off the pitch and up the steps back to the away dressing room.
The decision came in the 51st minute, giving Arsenal 40 minutes to battle away with ten men against Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic side.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta branded Pepe ‘unacceptable’ and accused him of ‘letting the team down’.
He said: “It is unacceptable. Unacceptable. At this level you cannot do it.
“With ten men it is a big disadvantage. I really liked the personality of the team when Pepe let the team down, how we stuck to do what we had to do and had a moment or two to win the game, but obviously it makes it really difficult.”
And Patrice Evra also let rip at the idiotic move.
He said: “Pepe should say sorry to all his team-mates, because Arsenal had to change their plans after that.

Pepe and Alioski had a coming together just minutes before the red-card incidentCredit: Sky Sports

The Leeds man went down clutching his face and made sure there was a VAR reviewCredit: AFP

Pepe could have no complaints as he was given his marching ordersCredit: Reuters
“Alioski deserves an Oscar… he looked like he’d broken his nose or something.
“But it’s really silly from Pepe. When you’re not playing a lot, and you do that when they gave you a chance, don’t cry if you’re not playing the next games.”
Asked whether Pepe had apologised, Hector Bellerin said: “These things stay in the changing room.
“After the game everyone has a lot of adrenaline and these things need to wait until later in the week.”
The Gunners did hold on for a 0-0 draw – and rode their luck as Leeds hit the woodwork multiple times.
And tempers flared after the full-time whistle with Kieran Tierney seemingly venting his anger at Alioski after they clashed towards just before the end of the match.
The Scottish left-back was held back by team-mates and backroom staff before eventually being ushered away.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

Tempers flared after the full-time whistle between Alioski and Kieran TierneyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Pepe trudged up the steps back to the away dressing room for the final 40 minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Arteta says Pepe can make a difference every week but he needs to find consistency More

NICOLAS PEPE was slammed by Mikel Arteta for headbutting Leeds defender Ezgjan Alioski in Arsenal’s fiery 0-0 draw at Elland Road.
The Gunners winger was clearly frustrated with the North Macedonia star during the clash.

Nicolas Pepe was sent off for a stupid headbutt on Ezgjan AlioskiCredit: Reuters

Arsenal’s record signing was caught out by the video replays at Elland RoadCredit: Sky Sports

And with the ball elsewhere, he confronted Alioski and stupidly pushed his head into his opponent’s forehead five minutes into the second half.
The Leeds man went down clutching his head with Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson on the ball.
Referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistle to stop play after not seeing the incident live.
But after just a brief look at the VAR monitor, his decision was easy and he showed Pepe the red card.

Replays later on the half showed Pepe and Alioski tussling a few minutes prior to the red-card incident.
And the next time they came back together, they both pushed out their arms before Pepe took the bait.
Gary Neville, on co-commentary for Sky Sports, called the action: “It’s Pepe and Alioski. Has Pepe reacted? He’s wandering back towards the Leeds man.
“Oh… he might be in a bit of trouble. Yes, he’s in trouble.

Replays showed the winger throw his head into the forehand of his opponentCredit: Sky Sports

Anthony Taylor only needed a brief look at the VAR monitorCredit: Reuters

“He’s reacted to the initial contact and Alioski just stands his ground and the head comes towards him. He’s done.”
Pepe had no complaints when the red card was brandished and trudged off the pitch and up the steps back to the away dressing room.
The decision came in the 51st minute, giving Arsenal 40 minutes to battle away with ten men against Marcelo Bielsa’s energetic side.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta branded Pepe ‘unacceptable’ and accused him of ‘letting the team down’.
He said: “It is unacceptable. Unacceptable. At this level you cannot do it.
“With ten men it is a big disadvantage. I really liked the personality of the team when Pepe let the team down, how we stuck to do what we had to do and had a moment or two to win the game, but obviously it makes it really difficult.”
And Patrice Evra also let rip at the idiotic move.
He said: “Pepe should say sorry to all his team-mates, because Arsenal had to change their plans after that.

Pepe and Alioski had a coming together just minutes before the red-card incidentCredit: Sky Sports

The Leeds man went down clutching his face and made sure there was a VAR reviewCredit: AFP

Pepe could have no complaints as he was given his marching ordersCredit: Reuters
“Alioski deserves an Oscar… he looked like he’d broken his nose or something.
“But it’s really silly from Pepe. When you’re not playing a lot, and you do that when they gave you a chance, don’t cry if you’re not playing the next games.”
Asked whether Pepe had apologised, Hector Bellerin said: “These things stay in the changing room.
“After the game everyone has a lot of adrenaline and these things need to wait until later in the week.”
The Gunners did hold on for a 0-0 draw – and rode their luck as Leeds hit the woodwork multiple times.
And tempers flared after the full-time whistle with Kieran Tierney seemingly venting his anger at Alioski after they clashed towards just before the end of the match.
The Scottish left-back was held back by team-mates and backroom staff before eventually being ushered away.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

Tempers flared after the full-time whistle between Alioski and Kieran TierneyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Pepe trudged up the steps back to the away dressing room for the final 40 minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Arteta says Pepe can make a difference every week but he needs to find consistency More