Newcastle’s last-minute defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday was overshadowed by VAR’s failure to intervene in a couple of game-changing moments.
Goalscorer Kai Havertz could have been shown a red card for elbowing Dan Burn before Newcastle were denied a penalty after a foul on Jacob Murphy in the early-stages of the second-half.
Eddie Howe described the failure to let referee David Coote view the penalty incident again as ‘making a mockery of VAR’, with Alan Shearer branding the decision as ‘pathetic’.
The implementation of VAR has been controversial since its introduction into English football with every team feeling the effects of decisions made by the technology.
Using data provided by ESPN, here we have ranked how many decisions each Premier League side have had overturned against them by VAR this season:
(Note: this list only includes decisions that have been overturned - no ‘wrong’ subjective calls are included)
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17. Crystal Palace: 6
The first VAR decision that was overturned against Crystal Palace this season came in their clash with Newcastle United when Christian Benteke saw his late goal disallowed for a foul on Ciaran Clark. Photo: Julian Finney
18. Everton: 7
Everton have struggled on the pitch this season, however, they cannot blame their recent form on VAR decisions with the Toffee’s not having a decision overturned against them since early December where Richarlison saw two goals disallowed in their victory over Arsenal. Photo: Gareth Copley
19. Newcastle United: 8
Newcastle United have seen the most VAR decisions go against them in the league this season. VAR has overturned three penalty decisions against Newcastle this season with only one overturned decision, coming against Norwich City, going in their favour. Photo: Stu Forster
20. Norwich City: 9
In their game with Brentford last weekend, Norwich had two decisions in their favour overturned by VAR with another that initially went against them (Bryan Mbuemo’s goal that was subsequently ruled out because offside) overturned in their favour. Photo: Stephen Pond