VAR

KALVIN PHILLIPS is quickly learning how cruel a place the Premier League can be.
It has been a golden couple of months for the local lad, who was handed his first England cap before kicking a ball in the top-flight.

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Raul Jimenez’s strike was goalbound but flew towards the opposite corner with a deflectionCredit: AFP

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Kalvin Phillips was the unfortunate defender in the way of the shotCredit: PA:Press Association

And as Leeds made a storming start to life in the big time, Phillips’ stock was rising and rising.
But this was a sobering night for the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’, whose deflected header from Raul Jimenez’s shot into his own net saw Leeds to their first home defeat.
The Mexican’s 70th minute effort was as harmless as they come and would have been gobbled by Illan Meslier.
But Phillips had no time to register that, and was left crestfallen as the ball flew beyond the rooted Frenchman.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side battered Wolves in the first-half and had enough openings to be out of sight.
Patrick Bamford has been on fire so far, masking an old problem Leeds have had ever since Bielsa walked in the door.
They create chance after chance – but their finishing by and large is poor and this was a big reality check for Leeds and Bielsa.
And unless they can solve that problem quick, any hopes of a miracle season fighting it out at the top end look highly unlikely.

As they prepared for their first top-flight fixture since 2004, Bielsa was landed a huge blow just before kick-off with skipper Liam Cooper breaking down in the warm up.
The centre-back was named in the line-up after picking up a groin injury with Scotland, but was replaced at the last minute by Pascal Struijk.
Not a problem for the master-tactician though, who ripped up his tried and tested 4-1-4-1 for an exotic looking 3-4-1-2.
Wolves were kitted out in their maroon and green third kit, doing an even better impression than normal of looking like the Portugal national side.
But while fans love the strip – it’s already sold more than last season’s home shirt – they were scratching their heads when Adama Traore was named on the bench.
And it was one of Nuno’s old boys, Helder Costa, causing all the problems early on.

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Wolves backed up their 1-0 win over Fulham with another narrow victory over a newly-promoted sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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Mexican forward Jimenez bagged his third goal of the campaignCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The ex-Wolves star caused havoc down the right, with his old club unable to live with Leeds’ rapid start.
But despite some build-up play from the heavens they could only carve out half-openings that were squandered by Costa and Patrick Bamford.
The passing was slick, the running off the ball super human, and the crosses raining in from both sides.
Marauding full-back Luke Ayling was the fore of everything good, and saw a goal bound shot blocked by Max Kilman.
They finally tested Rui Patricio in the 40th minute, but record signing Rodrigo – making his second start – fired straight at the keeper.
While Bamford has started the season on fire, their lack of cutting edge in front of goal is nothing new to Bielsa’s side.
And they had a whopping nine shots before the break without really ever coming close to breaking the deadlock.
The Black Countrymen had just 31 per cent possession at half-time, but at least carried a threat on the counter.

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Romain Saiss thought he had given Wolves the lead at Elland RoadCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group

In stoppage time, with their first real opening of the game, Daniel Podence had the best chance of the half.
A deep cross from the right by Leander Dendoncker found Romain Saiss, and for the first time Leeds looked stretched.
The ball was played back into Podence’s path but despite catching it flush from 12-yards, Illan Meslier was on hand to beat it away.
And they had the ball in the net on 53 minutes, only for it to be ruled out for offside by VAR Michael Oliver at Stockley Park.
Romain Saiss thought he had just bagged a wonder goal, leathering a volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
It had found its way to him after Podence’s cross from the right – but replays showed he was a yard offside.
Whatever Nuno said at the break had done wonders though, with the lively Podence forcing Meslier into a smart save moments later.
Raul Jimenez was next, but having barely touched the ball game he failed to get his shot away after creating an opening.

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Leeds felt Raul Jimenez should have been punished for appearing to kick out in the final minutesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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Nuno Espirito Santo left the happier of the two managersCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
But whereas Leeds could not, Wolves made their dominance count after 70 minutes.
Struijk made the first mistake as a long ball went over his shoulder, slipping to allow Jimenez get hold of it on the right.
And the Mexican simply waltzed across the box before checking inside the challenger and letting fly.
It was a weak shot though, and would have been gobbled up Meslier if it was on target.

But the hapless Phillips stuck his head out, only to see it bounce beyond the rooted Meslier.
After such a sloppy start to the second-half Leeds finally woke up again and hurled bodies forward to try and bag the equaliser.
Sub Ian Poveda saw a shot charged down when it looked like it was heading in, and Rodrigo agonisingly could not divert the rebound goal bound.
But Wolves held on for a huge win on the road to move them up to sixth after an underwhelming start to the season.

Leeds complete £16m Raphinha transfer from Rennes as 23-year-old rapid winger signs four-year contract More

JORDAN Henderson had a late winner chalked off in one of the most controversial decisions by VAR so far during a frenetic Merseyside derby.
After the game the Reds skipper even suggested that video referees sometimes “bend the lines”.

This Jordan Henderson goal didn’t count in the end after a controversial offside call…But the no-look pass from Thiago to Mané deserved some love 👏 pic.twitter.com/b1kQaf4E9Q
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 17, 2020

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Mane was judged to be offside by the VAR in the build-up to what appeared to be Liverpool’s winner at Goodison Park

It looked like the Liverpool captain had won it stoppage time after his low shot snuck past the desperate hands of Jordan Pickford with the game at 2-2.
But before the celebrations had even ended, the video assistant referee David Coote was looking at the positioning of Sadio Mane for the goal.
Replays seen with the naked eye showed him appearing level alongside the last Everton man, but the VAR chalked it off, much to the incredulity of Liverpool fans.
Speaking after the game, Henderson said: “It must be offside with VAR, it’s what everyone wants.

“I think they bend the lines sometimes to make it offside.
“I’m not sure how they do it, I’ve seen it before.
“It’s disappointing we haven’t got the win.”
SOCIAL STORM
There must have only been inches in it in what is one of the tightest offside calls since the introduction of VAR.

And it could have potentially huge implications in the early Premier League title race, as Everton maintained their unbeaten start and Liverpool were denied a win that would have helped banish memories of their Aston Villa defeat.
The incident sparked varying reactions across social media.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher tweeted a string of laughing faces as he reacted to the controversial VAR decision.
While BBC presenter Dan Walker tweeted to say the decision, even if right, “feels wrong”.
David Coote has previously been embroiled in VAR controversy, not least when officials had to admit during the game that the decision not to send Giovani Lo Celso off for a stamp as Tottenham played Chelsea in February was a mistake.
Henderson’s offside goal was the last action in a game packed with controversial incidents.

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Henderson’s joy quickly turned to bemusement as VAR intervened with his winning goal Credit: Reuters

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) October 17, 2020

Whatever your allegiance, we need to have a good look at what we want football to be like. I love the game to bits but this just feels wrong 👇🏻🤯 pic.twitter.com/MTgpwdZPAN
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) October 17, 2020

After Sadio Mane gave the visitors an early lead, Virgil Van Dijk was also controversially judged to be offside as he got on the end of the cross.
But as the flag went up, Jordan Pickford went across the defender with an awful last-ditch tackle and somehow escaped any punishment from VAR.
The tackle was so bad Van Dijk was left to trudge off with an injury.

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Pickford’s reckless challenge on Van Dijk was not punished by the referee or the VARCredit: EPA

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Calvert-Lewin jumped highest to nod home what proved to be the equaliserCredit: Reuters
It was end-to-end from there as Michael Keane equalised for the Toffees, before Mohamed Salah restored Liverpool’s lead with a stunning effort in the second half.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin got Everton level with a tremendous leaping header, before the game once again descended into ugliness with a wretched high tackle by Richarlison on Thiago, leading to the Brazilian’s dismissal.
The best Merseyside derby in years looked set to end with a late flourish after Pickford spilled Henderson’s injury time shot, but the VAR had other ideas. More

PREMIER LEAGUE referees will no longer apply the controversial hardline handball laws which threatened to turn the season into a mockery.
Players, managers and fans – and the referees themselves – have united in their contempt and disgust at the directive which has brought six handball penalties already.

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The Premier League handball rule is set to be relaxed after fierce criticism

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The controversial handball rule is set to be softened after a massive backlash

But in a move that will be widely welcomed, refs’ chief Mike Riley went to the game’s law-making body Ifab to get approval for a softening of the approach.
Instead of any handling offence outside the “natural silhouette” of the body being a potential spot-kick, Premier League refs will now be able to take the context of the incident into account.
That means a defending player’s proximity to the ball, and the amount of time they had to react to the ball, will be assessed.
In addition, if the player is adjudged to have been in a “natural” position, with his arms slightly away from his body or as part of a normal running action, it will not be routinely penalised.

But PL refs will STILL have to award a spot-kick for incidents like the controversial Newcastle equaliser at Spurs on Sunday.
At the weekend, a penalty was awarded against Eric Dier even though the defender was not looking at the ball as he challenged Andy Carroll.
That is because Law 12, which covers handball, states that it is an offence if the ball strikes any arm that is raised above the shoulder – with no wriggle room allowed.

The change, to take immediate effect, comes as a rare U-turn by Ifab.

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The Premier League could see its handball law softened

The Swiss-based body, under pressure from Fifa, had ordered all leagues to adopt a strict reading of the laws this season with no leeway for interpretation.
But Riley’s pleas to Ifab, following a flood of complaints from every sector of the game, brought an unexpected change of stance.
Riley, who did not want to introduce this season’s measures but was told by Fifa he had no option, feels the new approach will bring much-needed clarity and be welcomed across English football.
SunSport understands that of the six handball penalties awarded so far this term, three would no longer be deemed as offences, although the other three would still be awarded.
From now on, refs are allowed to apply a degree of subjectivity and mitigation around handball claims.
If a player is deemed to be too close to the ball, or it is blasted in his direction and he is deemed to have not made himself bigger, it will no longer be an automatic spot kick.
To help that decision, VAR officials will view an incident at “real speed” on two or three occasions to determine the true nature of the incident, before looking at the point of contact.
That does not mean no penalties when players have their arms slightly away from the bodies, as it will remain a judgement call by the referee, but will bring fewer spot-kicks.
And in addition, players who have their arms slightly outstretched as part of a normal running action will have a chance of avoiding a spot kick if the ball strikes them.
However, it will again be up to the ref, whose initial decision will still be subject to video review.

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The PL has already seen six handball penalties this season – including Maupay’s handball which led to Fernandes’ 100th-minute winnerCredit: AFP
PEN OR NO PEN – THE NEW DECISIONS
Liverpool vs Leeds, Sep 12
Robin Koch deflects Mo Salah’s goalbound shot onto his right arm.
NEW VERDICT: Penalty – arm in unnatural position.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace, Sep 13
Jordan Ayew’s weak shot hits Victor Lindelof’s arm before bouncing to David De Gea.
NEW VERDICT: No penalty – arm in a natural running position.
Southampton vs Tottenham, Sep 20
Harry Winks’ attempted interception pings ball against Matt Doherty’s outstretched arm.
NEW VERDICT: No penalty – deflection gave Doherty no time to react.

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Palace were awarded a penalty for this Lindelof handball – which wouldn’t be penalised under new rulesCredit: AFP or Licensors
Brighton vs Man Utd, Sep 27
Neal Maupay deflects Harry Maguire’s last-gasp header with his right fist.
NEW VERDICT: Penalty – arm raised above the shoulder.
Crystal Palace vs Everton, Sep 27
Lucas Digne’s header into the box strikes Joel Ward’s left arm.
NEW VERDICT: No penalty – Ward had no time to react and his arm was in a natural stance.
Tottenham vs Newcastle, Sep 28
Last second drama as Eric Dier adjudged to have handled Andy Carroll header despite not looking at the ball.
NEW VERDICT: Penalty – Dier’s arm above his shoulder and not attempting to handle or seeing the ball is irrelevant.

Clive Tyldesley says stop moaning about handball and do something to change it More