Haaland penalty claim, Wilson foul on Lloris

Video Assistant Referee causes controversy every week in the Premier League, but how are decisions made, and are they correct?

After each weekend we take a look at the major incidents, to examine and explain the process both in terms of VAR protocol and the Laws of the Game.

– How VAR decisions affected every Prem club in 2022-23
– VAR’s wildest moments: Alisson’s two red cards in one game
– VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide

JUMP TO: Tottenham 0-2 Newcastle | Chelsea 1-1 Man United | Everton 3-0 Palace | Douglas Luiz wins red-card appeal

Possible penalty: Sanchez foul on Haaland

What happened: In the 19th minute, Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez appeared to catch Erling Haaland as the striker attempted to take the ball around him. Referee Craig Pawson gave a goal kick.

VAR decision: No penalty.

VAR review: Sanchez clearly catches Haaland, which makes this about that level of contact being enough to make the striker go to ground in the way he has.

Most would expect the VAR, Lee Mason, to award a penalty, but he chose not to because the ball was going out of play and he deemed there to be minimal contact.

The argument that the ball was going out doesn’t seem to hold water, as a foul remains a foul — though it can of course be used when deciding upon a yellow card, or a red card for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Minimal contact should only be a consideration when the challenge is shoulder to shoulder, or a regular tackle. When a player catches an opponent with the sole of the boot (studs) leading, then it should result in a penalty kick.

VAR overturn: Penalty for Dunk foul on Silva

What happened: Bernardo Silva ran through the area in the 39th minute and clashed with Lewis Dunk. Pawson ignored the appeals.

VAR decision: Penalty, scored…