VAR was once again in the headlines on Saturday after controversial decisions in a number of Premier League games. Newcastle United certainly felt aggrieved when a lengthy VAR check resulted in Chris Kavanagh being called over to the pitchside monitor before awarding the second of two penalties to Brentford in the first half.
Alexander Isak was adjudged to have fouled Bees full-back Rico Henry with a high foot when trying to clear a Brentford corner. The soft decision led Newcastle fans to both the decision and ask why a similar, if not worse, foul wasn't given on Fabian Schar against Manchester United. Alan Shearer also blasted the decision as 'bull****'.
On the penalty, Isak admitted: "It felt like a 50-50 situation where I tried to kick the ball and he dives into me. It all went pretty quick. I didn't see him coming."
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However, it wasn't just Newcastle who were unhappy with VAR on Saturday as Brighton lost away to Tottenham. The Seagulls felt they could arguably have been awarded three separate penalties at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but eventually left empty-handed.
Brighton trailed to their European-chasing rivals in the 10th minute but equalised through Lewis Dunk 10 minutes before half-time. The defender felt he should have had a second-half penalty when his shirt was pulled in the box while Brighton attacked a free-kick.
Meanwhile, Kaoru Mitoma had his foot stood on by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg inside the area but VAR failed to award what looked a clear and obvious spot-kick. Clement Lenglet also looked fortunate to get away with one when the ball appeared to strike his hand in just the sixth minute.
Brighton ended up leaving north London with no points as Harry Kane notched a 79th-minute winner. A result which could go a long way to deciding the final positions of the top six come the end of May.
Saturday's results and the stroke of VAR luck means fifth-placed Tottenham remain just three points behind Newcastle and Manchester United in third and fourth respectively. Brighton have now dropped to seventh after being overtaken by Newcastle's next opponents Aston Villa.
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