Brentford’s crucial equalizer against Arsenal was allowed to stand by Lee Mason on Saturday because the video assistant referee forgot to draw the necessary offside lines as part of his checks. Ivan Toney bundled home to earn Brentford a 1-1 draw at Arsenal, a result that could have a sizeable impact on the title race, but Mason did not check whether Christian Norgaard had been beyond the last defender when he crossed for his teammate to score. A lengthy VAR check was undertaken on an earlier aspect of the move where Ethan Pinnock, who also appeared to be in an offside position, grappled with Gabriel off Matthias Jensen’s free kick.
That is what is understood to have drawn Mason’s attention and he subsequently did not draw offside lines for Norgaard’s cross for Toney. Had he done so he would have concluded that the Brentford midfielder was offside and Arsenal could have hung on for three decisive points. The mistake has been put down to human error by PGMOL, the body that manages referees in the English game, who under new refereeing chief Howard Webb intend to be more transparent with regards to the most notable mistakes that are made in games.
After the draw Arteta had insisted that the goal should also have been chalked off due to Pinnock’s blocking of Gabriel while in an offside position.
“I just looked back and it is offside,” Arteta said. “They will probably give an explanation later in the week but today we have not got one.
“You have to apply certain principles in defending and you do that by sticking to the rules. Suddenly you change the rules, and then you have to change your principles. So, tell us before. Then you don’t hold the line that high, because you are always going to have a disadvantage if you get blocked.”
Arsenal might equally reflect on a game where they themselves struggled to create enough chances to insure themselves against forces beyond their control. The Gunners had at least five opportunities to clear the ball before Toney turned it in while at the other end they created few clear-cut chances aside from Leandro Trossard’s opener. One might also point to Brentford registering two expected goals to Arsenal’s 1.6, though it should be noted that almost half of the visitors’ tally did come from Toney’s goal that shouldn’t have stood. Arsenal’s mistakes — and Mason’s — could be punished by Manchester City on Sunday; a win over Aston Villa would move them within three points of the league leaders, who they could then leapfrog on Wednesday in the top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates Stadium.
This error was just one on a wild day for Premier League officiating.
Chelsea not given clear penalty on Tomas Soucek handball
Chelsea were denied what seemed to be a cast iron penalty when Tomas Soucek blocked a shot with his hand late in the 1-1 draw at West Ham United. It occurred in the 89th minute when Conor Gallagher’s low shot down to the right hit the midfielder’s hand, resulting in Chelsea players quickly protesting the no-call. It seemed likely that a proper VAR review would take place, but it never came with play carrying on soon after.
Here’s a look at the video:
“I think it was one of those situations where if it was given I don’t think there’d be too many complaining, but it’s a fine call,” Chelsea boss Graham Potter said sarcastically after the match when speaking to NBC Sports.
Pervis Estupinan goal disallowed
Additionally, Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan saw a goal ruled out against Crystal Palace because the VAR had drawn the offside lines from the wrong defender and not the last defender.
Take a look:
So has PGMOL said anything?
Yes. They released a statement on Sunday saying, “PGMOL can confirm its Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has contacted both Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion to acknowledge and explain the significant errors in the VAR process in their respective Premier League fixtures on Saturday. Both incidents, which were due to human error and related to the analysis of offside situations, are being thoroughly reviewed by PGMOL.”
There was no comment on what took place in the Chelsea vs. West Ham match.