The Premier League was once again dominated by controversial VAR decisions this weekend, with issues arising in almost every match. Despite this, the Key Match Incidents (KMI) Panel recorded only two VAR errors after eight rounds of the current season. At the same stage last season, there had been six.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United drew 4-4 with Aston Villa, and a penalty was awarded to United in the 16th minute for a foul by Boubacar Kamara on Matheus Cunha. The penalty was given because the Villa defender went through Cunha to reach the ball, and footage clearly showed the first contact was on the Brazilian's foot. In the same match, a potential foul by Senne Lammens on Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki before Patrick Dorgu's equalising goal in the 96th minute was also reviewed. Lammens was not looking at the ball, which increases the likelihood of VAR intervention.
Arsenal beat Hull 1-0, with Kai Havertz brought down in the penalty area by Nobel Mendy. VAR Michael Oliver sent referee Farai Hallam to the monitor, but no penalty was awarded due to the German international being offside. As the foul occurred before the potential offside, a penalty should have been awarded.
Leeds beat Tottenham 1-0, and Jayden Bogle stopped Mathys Tel with a foul. Referee John Brooks awarded a free kick but did not sanction the Leeds player. VAR Tony Harrington decided not to send Brooks to the monitor for a red card. Bogle committed the foul with his support leg, rather than the leg he was attacking with.
Everton beat Coventry 3-1, and there were three controversial situations in that match. Coventry's Caleb Yirenkyi was allegedly pulled by the hair inside the penalty area by James Tarkowski, but no penalty was awarded. The interpretation of hair-pulling has been relaxed for this season, so it would not result in a red card. Coventry also requested a penalty because Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko tripped Taiwo Awoniyi on the edge of the penalty area, and footage shows contact was made just before the line. Thierno Barry put Everton ahead in the 61st minute, but a VAR check followed due to a possible handball. VAR determined there was no conclusive evidence of a handball, although the ball appeared to deflect and the goal probably should have been disallowed. VAR does not have super-zoom, which requires several minutes of calibration and is not immediately available.
Brighton beat Brentford 2-0, and Igor Thiago was sent off after a VAR check for striking Chema Andres in the head with his forearm. The Brentford forward could be considered unlucky, as there is doubt whether he actually intended to strike the Spaniard in the face. Crystal Palace lost to Liverpool 1-3, and a penalty was awarded three minutes into stoppage time for a foul by Milos Kerkez on Dario Osorio. In the 2024-25 season, Arsenal defender William Saliba headbutted Joao Pedro after the Brighton attacker won the ball, and that penalty decision was judged correct.
Sunderland lost to Chelsea 0-1, and Cole Palmer went down on the edge of the penalty area after challenges from Luke O'Nien and Jules Ahoukado, requesting a penalty. Referee Jarred Gillett did not award a foul. The foul is determined by the first contact on the attacker, and only in the case of a holding foul is continuous contact relevant.
