PGMOL chairman Howard Webb believes VAR should have overturned Bruno Fernandes’ red card for Manchester United against Tottenham because he slipped before contact was made.
With United trailing Spurs 1-0 at the end of the first half, Fernandes was sent off for slipping and catching James Maddison’s leg high, with referee Chris Kavanagh immediately showing him a red card.
United lost 3-0 to Tottenham and Webb believes VAR Peter Bankes should have intervened to change the decision.
Officials said:
Assistant referee: It’s really terrible. For me, it’s a 100% red card. The on-site decision is a red card.
It was: Not a stud. This is shin height. This was a deliberate action and no attempt was made to play the ball. The angle does not show that there are studs. There was a mistake, but I think the referee called it.
Web’s Verdict: It was (mistake). We heard the assistant say it was a red card offense and the referee accept that advice.
High contact but Fernandez slips first. It’s not an on-the-ball attempt, but to the assistant it looks like a stud is in, but there’s a slight error. It’s more of an action of falling rather than stepping on the other person. VAR should have sent the referee to the screen.
Should Palace be awarded a penalty against Liverpool?
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
PGMOL chief executive Howard Webb explains how they decided not to award a penalty kick to Crystal Palace after they lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool.
case: Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi thought he should have been awarded a penalty after being brought down by Virgil van Dijk’s counterattack during Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Selhurst Park on October 5. VAR decided not to intervene.
Officials said:
It was: Four people gave him a bit of a hold, but it had no effect. He never catches the ball.
Web’s Verdict: It was fast and we tried to be efficient. Delays have decreased significantly this year.
Liverpool is celebrating victory at Crystal Palace.
VAR confirmed Guehi’s action against Van Dijk, and there was contact between the players. We look for lasting and influential contact. Van Dijk’s action was quick and the ball always found its way to the goalkeeper. We do not believe the action affected Guehi’s ability to hold the ball.
Slow motion can distort reality. In terms of strength and sustain, it should be viewed as full speed. This is another one that divides opinion. Where subjectivity exists, it is left to the referee to decide. If he had awarded a penalty we would have let it go.
Was Newcastle right to be awarded a penalty against Manchester City?
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Howard Webb believes the right decision was made to award a penalty to Anthony Gordon in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City.
case: Anthony Gordon was brought down under a challenge from Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, leaving Newcastle 1-0 behind the Premier League champions. Referee Jared Gillett pointed out the spot and VAR agreed with the decision, with the game ending 1-1 and Gordon scoring Newcastle’s equalizer.
Officials said:
It was: This is a pen that can be used. Delay, delay. I’m glad it’s a pen. The right-back played him onside and a penalty was awarded.
Anthony Gordon gestures while celebrating his goal against Manchester City.
reference: Ederson is booked for a genuine attempt on the ball.
Web’s Verdict: It could go either way. The goalkeeper is causing problems and there is definitely contact. Gordon doesn’t seek contact, but maybe he will let it happen. He is moving at a fast pace. If he hadn’t given the ball, it would have been a referee’s call. Contact is minimal.
Should Everton be awarded a spot kick against Newcastle?
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Howard Webb felt Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s decision to deny a penalty against Newcastle was a ‘really good’ on-field decision as Dan Byrne did not leave his footing.
case: Dominic Calvert-Lewin was brought down after a challenge from Dan Byrne during Everton’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle on 5 October. Referee Craig Pawson dismissed the claims and after a review VAR agreed with the decision.
Officials said:
reference: no. It’s not for me. It’s not for me. The problem is between the two of you, not for me.
It was: If you put your foot forward, it kicks. It’s not a penalty. It’s not a penalty. An attacker kicking a defender in the back.
Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier compete for the ball.
Web’s Verdict: I’ve heard mixed opinions. I think it was a good decision on the field, not a penalty kick. Nick Pope makes a save and Dan Burn goes straight in front of (Dominic) Calvert-Lewin. It is common for him to contact you behind your back and get you together.
It was a good decision by the on-site officials and VAR. There is no Burn attack.
Fulham penalty at Forest, Havertz goal vs Leicester – Watch more on Mic’d Up!
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Howard Webb and Michael Owen debate whether Fulham’s penalty should have been awarded against Nottingham Forest after Murillo’s foul on Andreas Pereira.
Fulham – What officials said: I’m trying to find the contact angle. He’s clearly behind his Achilles. The ball will go to him. It was a coincidence, but he interrupted his opponent. He clearly interfered with an opposing player and the referee was completely oblivious to it.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
PGMOL chief executive Howard Webb explains to Michael Owen why VAR was right to award Kai Havertz’s goal against Leicester City.
Arsenal – What officials said: Is Sterling playing with the ball? The on-field decision is offside. Wait a minute, it will be confirmed. The defender plays to Havertz, but we’re just checking the rest. He’s clearly turned on. It’s better to concede a goal.
Watch the match official: Watch Mic’d Up on Sky Sports Premier League on Tuesdays at 7pm and catch up on SkySports.com, the Sky Sports app and Sky Sports social channels.
