Key Highlights
- With extensive experience at the elite level, he has operated within the VAR space in the Premier League and offers a unique insight into the processes, rationale and protocols that are delivered on a Premier League matchday.
- (Screenshot credit: NBC)Fulham 2-1 ChelseaReferee: Peter Bankes VAR: John Brooks Time: 22 minutes Incident: VAR confirmed Fulham wouldn't be awarded a penaltyWhat happened: A long ball by Fulham keeper Bernd Leno found Harry Wilson, who broke clear of Chelsea fullback Marc Cucurella and found himself through on goal.
- Cucurella grabbed the arm of Wilson, committing a holding offence on the edge of the penalty area.
- Referee Peter Bankes awarded a free kick and sent Cucurella off for a DOGSO (denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity). VAR decision/review: With a clear DOGSO holding offence committed by Cucurella, which was recognised on field by the match referee, the only check for VAR John Brooks was to ensure that the holding offence did not continue into the penalty area, which would've resulted in a penalty kick. Verdict: This is an incredibly close call from the VAR and one that could have gone either way. Some TV angles suggest that Cucurella still had hold of Wilson as they hit the penalty area line, however the evidence would need to have been conclusive to change the outcome, so the VAR clearly had some doubt. Manchester City 1-1 BrightonReferee: Tom Bramall VAR: Alex Chilowicz Time: 38 minutes Incident: Man City earned a penalty kick after a foul in the boxWhat happened: Brighton defender Diego Gómez challenged Jérémy Doku in the penalty area.
- Referee Tom Bramall waved away the penalty appeals. VAR decision: VAR was very quick to recommend an OFR (on-field review) for a possible penalty for a careless foul challenge by Gómez. VAR review: A quick and straightforward review for VAR Chilowicz as the replays showed a clear careless challenge by the Brighton defender.
