Match Officials Mic’d Up: PGMOL chief Howard Webb believes VAR should have overturned Bruno Fernandes’ red card vs Tottenham Trending Global News

PGMOL chief Howard Webb believes VAR should have overturned Bruno Fernandes’ red card for Manchester United against Tottenham after the player slipped before making contact.

With United trailing 1–0 to Spurs at the end of the first half, Fernandes was sent off for slipping and then catching James Maddison high on the leg, with referee Chris Kavanagh immediately showing a red card.

United lost 3–0 to Tottenham and Webb believes VAR Peter Banks should have stepped in to change the decision.

What officials said:

Assistant Referee: This is terrible friend. This is 100 percent red card for me. The on-field decision is a red card.

wise: This is not a stud. This is the height of the shin. This was a deliberate act and there was no attempt to play the ball. The angle doesn’t show that it is with studs. There’s a miss but I think the ref’s call.

Web’s verdict: it was [a mistake]We heard in the audio that the assistant said it was a red card offense and the referee took that advice.

Contact is high but Fernandes slips first. It’s no effort on the ball but from the assistants’ point of view it looks as if the studs are going in – but that’s a small error. There is nothing like attacking the opponent, it is a staggering action. VAR should have sent the referee to the screen.

Should Palace have been awarded a penalty against Liverpool?

Event: Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi thought he should have had a penalty after falling down on Virgil van Dijk during Liverpool’s 1–0 win at Selhurst Park on 5 October. VAR decided not to intervene.

What officials said:

wise: He has a short catch of four but it has no effect, he never gets to the ball.

Web’s verdict: It was quick and we try to be efficient. There has been a significant reduction in delays this year.

VAR checks Van Dijk action on Guéhi, there is contact between players. We look for powerful connections that last. Van Dijk’s action is quick and the ball was always going to the goalkeeper. We do not believe this action will have any impact on Guhi’s ability to receive the ball.

Slow motion can distort reality. In terms of force or sustained hold, you have to see it at full speed. This is another case that has divided opinion. Where subjectivity exists, we leave it to the referee’s decision. If he had given a penalty, we would have released him.

Was Newcastle right to be awarded a penalty against Man City?

Event: Anthony Gordon was subbed off under a challenge from Man City goalkeeper Ederson and Newcastle fell 1–0 to the Premier League champions. Referee Jared Gillette pointed to the spot and VAR agreed to the decision, allowing Gordon to score the equalizer for Newcastle as the game finished 1–1.

What officials said:

wise: Possible pen. Delay, delay. Glad it’s a pen. The right-back plays it onside and the penalty is spot on.

Ref: Yellow card for Ederson for genuine effort on the ball.

Web’s verdict: Anything could have happened. The goalie is asking for trouble and there is definitely contact. Gordon doesn’t want contact but perhaps he allows it to happen. He is moving forward at speed. If he didn’t give it in it would have been the ref’s call. Contact is minimal.

Should Everton have been awarded a spot kick against Newcastle?

Event: Dominic Calvert-Lewin went down under a challenge from Dan Byrne during Everton’s 0–0 draw with Newcastle on 5 October. Referee Craig Pawson rejected the claims and after review, VAR agreed with the decision.

What officials said:

Ref: No, not for me, not for me. There’s a challenge between the two of them, not for me.

wise: Brings his foot forward, he kicks it. This is not a penalty. This is not a penalty. The attacker kicks the defender’s back.

Web’s verdict: I heard a mixture of opinions. I don’t think it’s a penalty, it’s a good decision taken on the field. Nick Pope makes a save and Dan Byrne moves forward in a straight line [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin. He makes contact from behind and this coming together is a normal thing.

It was a good decision by the on-field officials and VAR. No crime has been committed by Byrne.

Fulham penalty at Forest, Havertz goal vs Leicester – see more Mike’d Up!

Fulham – What the officials said: Efforts are being made to find the angle of contact. He is clearly standing on his Achilles’ heel. The ball is about to go to him, it is an accident but he has hindered his opponent. He has clearly obstructed the opponent and the referee has no knowledge of this.

Arsenal – What officials said: Does Sterling play ball? A decision taken on the field is offside. Wait, it will be investigated. The defender plays it to Havertz but we’re checking the rest. He’s clearly turned on. I suggest you allow the goal.

Watch the match official: Mic Up on Sky Sports Premier League at 7pm on Tuesday, and watch on SkySports.com, the Sky Sports app and the Sky Sports social channels.