VAR is set to come under even more scrutiny as the Premier League admits penalties were awarded incorrectly in all three top-flight matches on Thursday night.
Manchester United and Southampton were both given contentious penalties, while Tottenham were controversially denied one.
VAR had a look at the three incidents – and the Premier League has confirmed it came to the wrong conclusion for all of them.
Spurs talisman Harry Kane appeared to be pushed in the back by Josh King during the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth, but referee Paul Tierney was unmoved and VAR official Oliver chose not to intervene.
That incensed Jose Mourinho, who claimed after the game that ‘everyone in the world’ knew Spurs deserved a penalty, except Olivier, who he called Bournemouth’s ‘man of the match’.
Villa boss Dean Smith was also left astounded after VAR failed to overturn a penalty awarded to United for a foul on Bruno Fernandes during the Red Devils’ 3-0 win at Villa Park.
Replays appeared to show Fernandes collapsing onto Ezri Konsa and actually stamping on the Villa defender’s leg – implying he was the aggressor, rather than the victim of the challenge.
Smith said: “I can understand Jon [Moss] getting it wrong but if that goes to VAR, I don’t know what they’re looking at. It’s a disgraceful decision.”
Finally, James Ward-Prowse was given a penalty after falling into the standing Andre Gomes during Southampton’s 1-1 draw at Everton.
Justice was done in that instance, though, as Ward-Prowse smashed his spot-kick against the crossbar.
