Everton’s Jack Harrison has the ball go off his foot after a Dominic Calvert-Lewin header. The VAR reviewed the matter after a scuffle between Harrison and Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicari, but saw no clear and obvious error that would have resulted in the goal being disallowed. The goal stands.
Howard Webb: “This goal is fine. We know that players have a right to their space on the pitch.
Howard Webb believes that Jack Harrison’s goal for Everton in the recent 2-2 draw with Tottenham was “just on the right side of acceptable”. Everton took the lead at Goodison Park through Richarlison, and in the 30th minute Harrison scored from close range after a Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed corner.
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario thought Harrison had fouled him seconds before the ball hit the net, as the Everton winger pressed the keeper as he leaned slightly into him. The goal fell eight days after Vicario again felt he had been fouled following a corner that Nathan Ake converted in the FA Cup duel with Manchester City.
After the draw on Merseyside, it was so obvious that VAR had been cheated by Spurs, Howard Webb wrongly admitted that there had been no foul in the build-up to Harrison’s goal when it was obvious that Vicario had obstructed an Everton player.
Tottenham have a game in hand, Manchester City recorded a hard-fought tournament win, Man Utd suffered their first defeat of 2024 at Old Trafford against Fulham, and Arsenal continued their wild PL form by putting 4 past Newcastle.
Where would Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs be if VAR did not exist? The technology has caused much controversy since its introduction, but how different would the rankings look if it did not exist? Below, we have calculated the latest ranking without VAR by taking all VAR decisions that decided the game and led to goals, and taking into account the referee’s decision on the pitch. See below where Tottenham and others are ranked.
20th. Sheffield United
Points Without VAR: 9. Difference: -1.
19th – Burnley
Points Without VAR: 14. Difference: +2.
18th – Luton Town
Points Without VAR: 16. Difference: 0.
17th – Everton
Points Without VAR: 17* (*10-point deduction). Difference: 0.
16th – Nottingham Forest
Points Without VAR: 19. Difference: -1.
15th – Crystal Palace
Points Without VAR: 21. Difference: 0.
14th – Brentford
Points Without VAR: 22. Difference: 0.
13th – Fulham
Points Without VAR: 22. Difference: -2.
12th – Bournemouth
Points Without VAR: 25. Difference: 0.
11th – Chelsea
Points without VAR: 26. Difference – 5.
10th – Wolves
Points Without VAR: 29. Difference: +1.
9th – Newcastle United
Points Without VAR: 29. Difference: 0.
8th – Brighton
Points Without VAR: 31. Difference: 0.
7th – Manchester United
Points Without VAR: 33. Difference: +1.
6th – West Ham United
Points Without VAR: 35. Difference: 0.
4th – Tottenham
Points Without VAR: 42. Difference: -1.
4th – Arsenal
Points Without VAR: 42. Difference: -1.
3rd – Manchester City
Points Without VAR: 43. Difference: 0.
2nd – Aston Villa
Points Without VAR: 45. Difference: +2.
1st – Liverpool
Points Without VAR: 47. Difference: -1.