Newcastle United have enjoyed a strong start to the Premier League season despite not hitting their brilliant best after four games. Eddie Howe’s side have collected 10 points from the first 12 on offer, with only reigning champions Manchester City earning more after four games.
The Magpies dropped points in their 1-1 clash at Bournemouth but have beaten Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves this season. So far, VAR has impacted Howe’s side just once with the Cherries denied a late winner at the Vitality Stadium last month. However, PGMOL chief Howard Webb admitted on Match Officials Mic'd Up that the goal should not have been ruled out.
Dango Ouattara thought he’d won the game as he powered home but VAR decided the ball had been handled by the defender. However, Webb contested: "I agree. The referee's on-field call is 'goal' and the officials on the field didn't see any reason to disallow this goal. We know all goals are checked by the VAR to see if there's ay reason why the goal can't be awarded. One of those reasons is if the ball directly hits the attacker's arm and goes directly in the goal and scores immediately.
"In this situation, the ball strikes Ouattara somewhere [in the] shoulder, upper arm area. It's hard to be totally conclusive as to exactly where. I don't think that's conclusive enough to intervene.”
It hasn’t all gone the Magpies way in terms of decisions this campaign, with Fabian Schar sent off controversially against Southampton in the opening game of the campaign - although that decision did not involve VAR. Newcastle aren’t the only side to have benefitted from intervention from Stockley Park, however, with VAR making a number of calls across the Premier League already this season. Below we run through how the Premier League table might look without the use of the video technology as we subtract or add points based on decisions that have led to goals being given or ruled out by VAR. Take a look...
5. 16th: Everton - 7 points (+ 2 points)
Abdoulaye Doucouré's goal against Newcastle United was ruled out for offside just before the international break in a game that ended 0-0. | Getty Images
6. 15th: Leicester City - 8 points (+2 points)
Have had one goal given by VAR but it came in a game they lost 2-1 to Fulham. Did see a call go against them when Crystal Palace saw a goal given after an incorrect offside as the Foxes shared the spoils in 2-2 draw. Also saw Arsenal awarded a late goal but it made the scoreline 4-2 rather than 3-2. | Getty Images
7. 14th: West Ham - 8 points
No VAR overturns for the Hammers so far. | AFP via Getty Images
8. 13th: Manchester United - 9 points (+1 point)
The Red Devils would have likely picked up at least an extra point with a draw against Brighton should a Joshua Zirkzee goal have stood. Instead, it was ruled out for offside. | Getty Images