You won’t find many Premier League fans who are supporters of the VAR replay system in its current form, and that’ll be especially true in West London.
Chelsea took on Manchester United on Monday at Stamford Bridge in what was a crucial match for the Blues, and they ended up getting a disastrous display from VAR — all resulting in a 2-0 Manchester United win.
The controversy started in the 21st minute when United’s Harry Maguire kicked out at the groin of Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi. It should have been a clear red card, but when VAR checked the incident, Maguire wasn’t shown a card at all.
Say it with me….what’s the point of VAR?! 🧐🤨 pic.twitter.com/OeqWVyWSHk
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) February 17, 2020
Even without acknowledging that a kick to the groin warrants a red card on its own merits, there was precedent to send Maguire off for that contact. It was virtually the same play that had Tottenham’s Heung-min Son sent off for violent contact on Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger in December.
There’s no consistency with VAR, which allows the system to continue to fail.
Maguire being allowed to stay on the pitch would prove huge later in the match, but we’ll get to that in a bit.
A VAR mistake would hurt Chelsea again in the second half. This time, wiping a goal completely off the board. Kurt Zouma scored in the 55th minute off a corner, but when VAR took a look, it ruled that Cesar Azpilicueta committed a foul before the goal. What VAR didn’t see was that Azpilicueta was pushed, and even the NBC broadcasters were ripping the Premier League’s replay decisions.
Chelsea scores, but, it's overturned because of a push. 🤐 pic.twitter.com/UfYC6h5S4V
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 17, 2020
Around 10 minutes later, Maguire — who, again, shouldn’t have been in the game anymore — doubled Manchester United’s lead with his first goal of the Premier League season. Of course this happened …
🚨 HARRY MAGUIRE SCORES! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/elRC0FAUXt
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 17, 2020
And just for good measure, VAR wiped off another Chelsea goal when Olivier Giroud was ruled offside by mere inches.
Giroud goal called back. pic.twitter.com/0RlOqXzSeJ
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 17, 2020
It was a brutal night for Chelsea, and fans were understandably fed up with VAR.
Gary Neville:
🗣 "The biggest mistake VAR has made tonight is keeping Harry Maguire on the pitch."#CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/mkhE9RBfmW
— TREQUARTISTA (@A55KIKR) February 17, 2020
If you ever meet anyone in favour of VAR in it’s current form, this is the tweet you refer them to 🤝 pic.twitter.com/BjUVrCOMeC
— fin (@finerrz) February 17, 2020
I'm an Arsenal fan, I don't support Chelsea, Honestly VAR has robbed two goals from Chelsea. VAR is useless technology.#CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/7upTcpBROg
— Hesboun Etyang (@ItsEtyang) February 17, 2020
Terrible by VAR and terrible result but no time to sulk…. a massive game agaisnt Tottenham next. Hopefully Emerson, Christensen, Kante, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic and Abraham are back for it. Obviously hoping Loftus-Cheek also but I doubt it
— CarefreeYouth (@CarefreeYouth) February 17, 2020
Manchester United with vs without VAR. VARchester United.#CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/XDlxufhPIb
— Wayne Brian (@brianoiriga) February 17, 2020
let's be honest VAR deserved that three points more than United. also disappointed in Chelsea for allowing a weak team like United beat them at home despite the robbery
— Malik Ofori (@malikofori) February 17, 2020
With the loss, Chelsea holds a one-point lead for fourth place over Tottenham. Sheffield United and Manchester United are also within three points of Chelsea.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]