Ever since the PGMOL brought in VAR to improve the standard of officiating, the Premier League has been littered with controversies.
The rule book is no longer as black and white as it used to be, with varying interpretations of the laws resulting in a noticeable lack of consistency.
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And while the margin for error is as small as it has ever been, refereeing mistakes can end up being the deciding factor between teams.
In Manchester City's 2-1 victory over Wolves this afternoon, the lingering aftertaste of the match is dominated by a huge call made on the Blues' last-minute winner.
John Stones came up with the all-important header, but Bernardo Silva was visibly in an offside position - and fans have been left bewildered by the referee giving the goal despite the Portuguese international appearing to influence the Wolves goalkeeper.
Pep makes jibe at Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp In the end, the goal keeps Manchester City's unbeaten start to the Premier League alive, with six wins and 2 draws.
Speaking to Match of the Day after the game, Guardiola said: "We are not used to winning games at the end, like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool it many times happened. It is a good flavour for us..."
While Liverpool certainly had their fair share of last-minute winners, it must be said that they were often without controversy.
The offside decision will not be the only one we see this season, and the lack of consistency is almost guaranteed to continue, given the subjectivity.
Liverpool at the time, took their decision on the chin, and rival fans will inevitably do the same, but the Premier League is littered with turning points and this may be one of them.
To clear up some confusion from the TV coverage.
John Stones' goal was disallowed for offside *on the field.*
The VAR review was to overturn that and *allow* the goal.
The referee has to make this decision at the monitor as it's a subjective call. #WOLMCI
- Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) October 20, 2024 Manchester City's VAR decision explained Thinking back to the club's Carabao Cup success over Chelsea in February, Virgil van Dijk had a goal disallowed because Wataru Endo, who didn't touch the ball, was deemed to be interfering with play in an offside position by blocking one of Chesea's defenders.
The decision was considered to be very harsh on the Liverpool captain, in a nervy game where goals were not coming as easily as either side would've liked.
This City vs Wolves affair had very similar connotations with Liverpool's bewildering decision.
Neither team found the game easily and this time, the goal was fundamental to the result of the match - with City the beneficiaries from the referees.
While Bernardo Silva certainly nudges Jose Sa, when John Stones makes contact with the ball he is merely in the goalkeeper's eyeline.
The linesman initially ruled out the goal, but upon pitchside review with VAR, the referee decided to reverse the decision.