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VAR: Tottenham and Chelsea count the cost

VAR: Tottenham and Chelsea count the cost
© Reuters
Technology took centre stage again this weekend.

VAR played a significant part over the Premier League weekend, with decisions having important consequences for both Tottenham and Chelsea.

Here, the PA news agency looks back over the talking points caused by the technology.

A Serge of discontent

Serge Aurier's celebrations at Leicester were cut short
Serge Aurier's celebrations at Leicester were cut short (Joe Giddens/PA).

Harry Kane's finish off the floor after he had stumbled through two challenges had given Spurs the lead before they were denied a second goal. Serge Aurier fired in midway through the second half but, after two minutes of deliberation, VAR ruled that Son Heung-min was millimetres offside and it was disallowed. Ricardo Pereira equalised before James Maddison fired in the winner with five minutes remaining, leaving Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino to rue the VAR decision. The Argentinian claimed the decision had given the Foxes the belief they needed to go on and win the game.

Stamford Bridge of sighs

Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had scored Chelsea's equaliser but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review
Cesar Azpilicueta thought he had scored Chelsea's equaliser but the goal was chalked off after a VAR review (Nick Potts/PA)

Chelsea were a goal down to Trent Alexander-Arnold's stunning strike and were further frustrated when they thought they had equalised, only to be denied by VAR. Cesar Azpilicueta fired home from close range after the ball had ricocheted around the Liverpool area. But referee Michael Oliver indicated the goal was going to be checked and Mason Mount was adjudged offside early in the move which led to the goal. To rub salt into Chelsea's wounds, Liverpool swiftly grabbed a second goal through Roberto Firmino en route to a 2-1 victory.

Spot of dissatisfaction for Dyche

Sean Dyche was unhappy not to be awarded a penalty against Norwich
Sean Dyche was unhappy not to be awarded a penalty against Norwich (Richard Sellers/PA)

Burnley enjoyed a 2-0 win over Norwich, but the margin of victory could have been even greater. Clarets boss Sean Dyche was left baffled by two decisions from referee David Coote, first in turning down a penalty appeal when Ashley Barnes appeared to be felled by Ben Godfrey and then not showing a second yellow card to Ibrahim Amadou for a crude foul on Jay Rodriguez. "I'm a big fan of VAR but I don't know where it lives if that's not a penalty," Dyche said after the match at Turf Moor. "And when I see people rolling all over the floor every week and their lad's battered Dwight (McNeil) and then battered Jay Rod and doesn't get a second yellow... Another day that might affect the game."

King misses out but Cherries on top

At least Joshua King was able to celebrate Callum Wilson's goal in the win over Southampton
At least Joshua King was able to celebrate Callum Wilson's goal in the win over Southampton (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Joshua King was denied a goal in the win over Southampton at St Mary's which would have made their margin of victory even greater. King's strike in the 25th minute was ruled out for offside by VAR but the Cherries were 3-1 winners anyway. Nathan Ake, Harry Wilson and Callum Wilson were on target for Bournemouth, with Southampton's reply coming from a James Ward-Prowse penalty.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


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