Premier League winners and losers: Harry Kane sets more records
By Ty Finch
Loser: VAR resistors
The first instance of video assistant referee (VAR) in the English leagues was implemented in the FA Cup’s third round tie between Crystal Palace and Brighton, and has also seen its inclusion in the League Cup. While the reports have been varied, and its usage dull and plodding, it’s becoming clearer every week that VAR needs to happen in the Premier League.
No other instance is better proof of the need than in the Watford vs. Southampton match on Saturday. Southampton took a 2-0 lead into halftime but failed to keep it in the second half, dropping points due to a goal that should clearly have been disallowed.
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Andre Gray grabbed a goal back for the home side in the 58th minute but the contentious equalizer came in the 90th. Abdoulaye Doucoure made a smart run across the oppositions box while a pass came in for him to head home. The ball missed his head and hit his raised hand, ultimately knocking the ball home for Watford’s second. To be fair to the referee, there wasn’t a clear position he should’ve been in to see the infraction, but it’s just another instance of the necessity for technology to provide fair results.
VAR is a touchy subject among soccer fans and media. It’s too slow to keep with the flow of a game, and it ruins the excitement of seeing a goal happen in real time if there’s need for review. But it ultimately can keep the outcome of a certain game correct, and that’s the end game in all of this.