Three for a Dollar, VAR Ever Present in Tottenham v Brighton

VAR Review #1 – Tottenham Get a PK

The first VAR review of the game was the most impactful – up to that point in the game at 12 minutes. The play started with some good early combination play between Erik Lamela and Tanguy Ndombele to move the ball up the pitch. Ndombele moved the ball wide to Heung-Min Son who put in a cross from the left.

That cross pinballed around a bit and as Tanguy went to fight for the ball Brighton cleared it. But the clearance went much higher than it did far, and Harry Kane was quickest to respond. He positioned himself under the ball and as Adam Lallana jumped up for the ball he went on Kane’s back and down Harry went.

The key here is that Graham Scott called the play a foul from the off. Having called a foul, the action stopped for a second as Brighton protested and set up their wall, while Lamela lined up his shot. VAR started reviewing where Harry Kane was when the foul took place. Lallana was clearly outside the box, but Kane it was more difficult to tell.

Kane had at least one foot in the box and that was enough for Jon Moss on VAR and he called down to Scott to make the change. As Scott went to make the square motion with his hands, Kane took the ball from under Lamela’s nose – much to the Argentine’s protest – and promptly buried the penalty.

In looking back, VAR likely got this one correct, given the foul was already called. Had Scott not blown his whistle, I am not so sure VAR would have brought it back, but given the foul was called, VAR was an option and the penalty occurred. VAR was correct in this instance and Spurs benefited.

VAR Review #2 – Doherty Dances with Danger

At 22 minutes Brighton is starting to get some possession going as Tottenham seemed to fade a bit. Ben White got free on the right and put one of the first crosses of the game into the box for Brighton. As the ball sailed by, Trossard went down and just as quickly jumped up in protest. In fact, several Seagulls began to protest and then Graham Scott touched his ear.

It was happening, VAR was checking the contact to see if Brighton would be awarded a penalty. Although no whistle had blown, because the incident had occurred in the box, VAR was able to review to the play. As the replay went repeatedly on the TV screen it was becoming obvious, this was going to be another VAR decision and Brighton would have a penalty.

Then just like that, Graham Scott shook his head after getting word from above. Satisfied in Jon Moss’ decision Scott called for the game to play on and Brighton looked somewhat stunned. If the call had gone the other way and it was Tottenham attacking, I would certainly feel hard done by the decision. Doherty did enough to be flagged for pass interference in the NFL, but maybe the ball was unplayable it was not a foul? Regardless, we will never get an explanation, but I do know VAR likely missed it, again to the benefit of Spurs. VAR one right, one wrong on the night thus far.