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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

What happened in Premier League's six VAR errors this season as Mikel Arteta left fuming

Six of the VAR calls in the Premier League have been found to be wrong, including an error that set Arsenal up for their only Premier League defeat this term.

An independent panel, made up of former players and representatives from the PGMOL, have assessed the 48 decisions that have been affected by VAR this term. The video system is in its fourth year in the Premier League and has made strides forward.

However, errors still occur, which angers managers, players and fans, given the technology now available. Howard Webb has now taken charge at the PGMOL and is putting actions in place, including dedicated coaches, to improve the implementation and influence of VAR, according to ESPN.

The most high-profile decision, which has since been deemed as the wrong call, came at Old Trafford back in September when Arsenal visited Manchester with a 100 per cent record. The Red Devils ended it that day, winning 3-1, but with the game goalless the Gunners were denied the opener.

We take a look at that - and the other five - errors that have occurred this term.

Man Utd 3-1 Arsenal - Martinelli's disallowed goal

Mikel Arteta claimed it was "a lack of consistency" and was "really difficult to accept." Martin Odegaard was able to dispossess Christian Eriksen in the middle of the pitch before sending a through ball for Gabriel Martinelli, who was able to convert past David de Gea in the 12th minute.

The United players were quick to smother the referee, who duly went to the screen and opted to award a foul to the hosts, thus disallowing the goal. There was clear contact on Eriksen from Odegaard, albeit not a huge amount.

Martin Odegaard was deemed to have fouled Christian Eriksen (Sky Sports)

Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace - Tyrick Mitchell own goal ruled out

The Magpies were denied at St James' Park when they thought they'd taken the lead. A header, back across goal, hit the Palace full-back and ended up in the net. Eagles goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and Newcastle's Joe Willock both found themselves on the deck.

Willock and Guaita collided, with the referee opting to award a foul on the goalkeeper, rather than the goal. Replays showed a shove in Willock's back from Mitchell, yet it was the Palace man who was let off - to the surprise of many.

Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa - penalty incorrectly given

The Eagles secured a win over the Midlands outfit earlier this term with Wilfried Zaha making it 2-1 just before the hour mark. The Ivorian missed the initial penalty but hammered the rebound past Emiliano Martinez.

The spot kick was given after Marc Guehi's header struck Lucas Digne's arm. The decision wasn't given in real-time, but was after looking at the monitor. Digne's arm was incredibly close to the ball with Steven Gerrard calling the decision "very harsh" and former referee Dermot Gallagher disagreeing with the decision.

Lucas Digne was pinged for a handball (Sky Sports)

Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa - Luiz sent off for violent conduct

It proved to be Gerrard's last game in charge and his side's task was made all the more difficult at Craven Cottage after Douglas Luiz was sent-off on the hour mark. The Brazilian clashed with Aleksandar Mitrovic off the ball and Michael Oliver dismissed the Villa man.

Replays show that it was the Fulham striker who seemed to instigate the issue. He ran over and pushed his chest into his opponent, with Luiz then responding by pushing his head into the Serbian, who went down before the midfielder was given his marching orders.

Chelsea 2-1 West Ham - Cornet goal disallowed

"It is a scandalous decision, absolutely rotten from one of the supposedly elite referees," David Moyes said after his side were denied a late equaliser. Maxwell Cornet thought he'd levelled things in the 90th minute, only for VAR to halt the away celebrations.

Cornet finished into an empty net after Edouard Mendy had palmed the ball in his direction. The Chelsea goalkeeper went for a 50-50 with Jarrod Bowen and got their first with the West Ham man looking to hurdle Mendy, albeit he caught him slightly in the process, with the decision causing huge frustration in the aftermath.

Nottingham Forest 2-2 Brentford - Penalty given for foul by Dean Henderson

Yoane Wissa was sent through for the visitors just before half-time but fluffed his lines after attempting to round Henderson in the Forest goal. However, the referee was advised to consult the monitor as the goalkeeper made slight contact with the forward's leg.

Replays looked to show that Henderson's arm, which remained largely still, looked to be run into by the Brentford man, rather than the goalkeeper cynically bringing him down. Despite there being no cover, only a yellow card was shown to the shot-stopper.

"My feeling on the penalties and VAR is, if the one he's given against us is a penalty, then he has to give four in the game," said Forest boss Steve Cooper after the clash.

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