There were three VAR reviews in the Tottenham Brighton game on Sunday, with two going Spurs way and one Brighton’s and none going the way of the fan.
Before VAR came into existence, it seemed like such a great idea, using this incredible camera technology to get all the calls right. However, a couple years in and it seems every game is now marred with VAR controversy. Sunday in north London was no different, as there were three official VAR reviews, including a pitch-side review; and Brighton left wishing a fourth review could have occurred.
This was not the first time this season Tottenham Hotspur or Brighton have had a run-in with VAR. A late, seemingly phantom handball near the edge of the box gifted Newcastle a draw earlier this season. However, VAR seemed to help Spurs when Erik Lamela drew Anthony Martial into a stupid penalty which was deemed a shot to the face and a red card.
Such is football right now, where even celebrations are sometimes muted wondering if VAR is going to come into play. I suppose we were fortunate none of the calls Sunday involved red and blue lines and a slide rule, which has bitten Spurs more than one in the last couple of seasons.
So, what went down with the three VAR reviews Sunday in the Tottenham victory? Why might Brighton feel put out a fourth review did not occur? How should we feel about VAR moving forward? Read on to see.
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.
VAR #3 – I Think He Touched the Ball
The third VAR decision was probably the most dubious of the bunch, particularly given it included the use of pitch-side monitors and did not include a third angle that was shown on TV. Pierre Hojbjerg was taken out and the ball was then taken. This led to the ball coming across the box to Gross, who swung it to Lamptey.
Tariq Lamptey – who was Brighton’s best player on the day – got the ball took a dribble and finished past Hugo Lloris with aplomb. As the Seagulls worked their way back down the pitch Spurs players continued to protest over what they deemed a foul on Hojbjerg to get the entire scoring play started. Given the no call led directly to a goal, it was reviewable as part of the build-up.
Jon Moss reviewed for a while, but not that long and clearly had called down to Scott. Given the criticism referees have received for not using the pitch-side monitors, Scott did the right thing and went over to the TV to have a look. Maybe it was the glare. Maybe it was the crowd noise. Maybe it was the embarrassment of seeing himself so blatantly miss such an obvious call, but Scott doubled down on his initial mistake.
Scott put his hand up to his hear and responded to Moss, presumably saying it was his match. Graham turned around shook his head and seemed to mouth “I think he touched the ball” as he casually pointed to midfield as if nothing had happened. I am not sure who looked more stunned, Brighton or Tottenham, but the game continued and for the second time in three attempts in the game VAR had failed. Maybe it was a make-up call for not giving the penalty in the first half, but it was just so bad, Scott should be sidelined for a few weeks by the FA. VAR one right, two wrong on the night.
VAR #4 – The Review that Never Happened
It was near 85 minutes into the match and as Tottenham tried to run out the clock Brighton tried feverously to make something happen. As the Seagulls had the ball near the Tottenham penalty area, it was time for some luck. The ball game into Trossard with Dier behind him, as the ball went through it was not controlled and appeared to hit Eric Dier’s arm.
Several Seagulls began to protest, but Graham Scott waved his arms down no and play continued. However, this time there was no VAR review. If it had been a dangerous play or violent conduct situation VAR could have intervened. If the potential ‘handball’ had occurred in the box, VAR could have intervened, and it was close. If Scott had called a handball, then VAR could have reviewed for a penalty, ala the first goal of the match.
However, because Scott did not blow the whistle, the ‘handling’ occurred outside the box, and there was no violent conduct to review; there was no trigger for a VAR review to occur. This is where the NFL maybe has something right with the coach’s challenge, but how many reviews can we have in one game? Bottom line, Brighton must feel hard done, given the new hand ball rules, the players must have felt they surely had something. However, Moss’ hands were as tied on that play as they were when Scott said no foul was perpetrated against Hojbjerg. I mean there are rules, right?
Such is the beautiful game at current, so much hinges on some cameras, opinions, and rules that do not seem quite right instead of players on the pitch. As a Spurs fan, I can sleep okay knowing things feel our way today, but then again, Newcastle was hard to swallow. Maybe it all works out in the end, but it sure would be nice if it worked out right during the match itself.