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Premier League VAR: No goals and a rocky ride

Wolves' celebrations at Leicester cut short on Sunday, in third incident of VAR overturning a decision on Premier League's opening weekend

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Sky Sports News' chief reporter Bryan Swanson reflects on the impact of VAR's introduction in the first round of matches in the Premier League this season

Video assistant referees (VAR) anticipated a rocky ride on their introduction to the Premier League, and so it has proved after a predictably eventful start to the season.

VAR intends to have 'minimum interference - maximum benefit' and two goals have been disallowed after around 70 checks in 10 games.

As a reminder, VAR is only to be used for 'clear and obvious errors' or 'serious missed incidents' in four match-changing situations: goals; penalty decisions; direct red-card incidents and mistaken identity.

After two overturned decisions at the London Stadium on Saturday, a disallowed goal and a retaken penalty, the third overturned decision in Premier League history took place at the King Power Stadium during Leicester's goalless draw against Wolves.

On-field referee Andre Marriner, who was the first VAR in the Premier League for Friday night's game between Liverpool and Norwich, watched as Leander Dendoncker ran off to celebrate early in the second half.

Marriner hadn't noticed anything, but all goals are checked. VAR Jonathan Moss, who was the on-field referee in Saturday's draw between Crystal Palace and Everton, took a little over a minute and a half to cut short the celebrations.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Scoreboard showing Leander Dendoncker of Wolverhampton Wanderers had his goal cancelled out after a VAR decision during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The King Power Stadium on August 11, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images)
Image: VAR Jon Moss decided to rule out Dendoncker's strike at the King Power Stadium

Ninety-eight seconds after Dendoncker thought he had scored, Marriner picked up the ball and rolled it back for a Leicester free-kick. The goal had been disallowed. Wolves were stunned as Leicester fans cheered. VAR Moss established there had been accidental handball from Willy Boly. Accidental handball that leads to a goal must be ruled out, under strict new laws.

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Leander Dendoncker was denied an opening-day goal by VAR
Image: Dendoncker was frustrated to be denied by VAR

It was harsh but laws are laws, as set out by the game's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board. Video referees are simply applying the laws to assist their on-field colleagues.

Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said afterwards: "I didn't see the images, but I trust them (VAR). But creating these moments is not good for the atmosphere, it's too long (the review)."

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Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo insists he trusts VAR, but felt the decision to rule out Dendoncker's goal took too long and affected the atmosphere in their 0-0 draw at Leicester

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers laughed: "I'm really, really happy with VAR! The important thing is that it was the right decision."

At Old Trafford, VAR Stuart Attwell assisted on-field referee Anthony Taylor as Manchester United beat Chelsea, live on Sky Sports.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores a goal to make it 1-0 during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on August 11, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
Image: Marcus Rashford took Manchester United into the lead at Old Trafford after a VAR-assisted penalty

Taylor awarded a penalty to United after Kurt Zouma's clumsy challenge on Marcus Rashford early in the first half. The incident was automatically checked by Attwell, which took seconds, and Taylor's decision was accurate. Rashford beat Kepa Arrizabalaga, with no involvement from the video officials.

Rashford had the ball in the net after 35 minutes, but he had clearly been in an offside position. VAR Attwell took less than 40 seconds to double-check that Paul Pogba had played the ball, and not Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic.

"Decision No Goal" was promptly communicated to fans via the stadium announcer, in a ground that doesn't have a big screen. VAR wasn't required to check Kovacic's challenge on Pogba just beforehand, as it wasn't an automatic red card incident.

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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher take a look at how VAR will be used in the Premier League for the first time this season

Tammy Abraham was booked after a challenge on Scott McTominay. Attwell had another look. Supporters were told "Checking Red Card", which led to a build-up of excitement from some fans. "Decision No Red" was communicated, which led to quick boos.

Further goals from Anthony Martial, Rashford and Daniel James were automatically checked as United ran rampant.

Arsenal beat Newcastle at St James' Park, live on Sky Sports. On-field referee Martin Atkinson booked Miguel Almiron for simulation after 18 minutes.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Arsenal player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores the winning goal past Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Image: Arsenal edged out Newcastle 1-0 at St James' Park thanks to a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strike in the second half

VAR David Coote, who recommended two overturned decisions in Manchester City's win against West Ham the previous day, checked the incident, without interrupting the flow of the game.

Atkinson had been right. There was no foul by Nacho Monreal or Granit Xhaka and no penalty should have been given. There was no check for a straight red card, as simulation is only punishable by a yellow card.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goal just before an hour was automatically checked, in an otherwise unremarkable game for the video assistant referees.

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Premier League interim CEO Richard Masters says they are 'ready to go' with VAR for the new season

The introduction of VAR was unanimously approved by clubs last November and has, already, prompted disputes and debates.

It is understood that officials feel it has gone as well as expected. VAR has corrected errors, to the letter of the law, albeit two in harsh circumstances. The bar has remained high before intervention. Ten games down this season, 370 to go. They go again next weekend.

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