Should Man City and Tottenham have been awarded penalties? VAR controversy strikes Premier League again

No penalty: Harry Kane felt he should have been awarded a spot-kick against Newcastle
AP
George Flood25 August 2019

Another weekend of Premier League football in 2019/20, another raft of VAR controversies to spark fierce debate over the use of technology in the game.

Manchester City racked up a ninth straight victory over Bournemouth on Sunday and £36million striker Joelinton's maiden goal for Newcastle condemned Tottenham to their first defeat of the season, but two highly contentious penalty decisions proved to be the main talking point.

Jefferson Lerma appeared to stand on the foot of David Silva with City leading 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium in the day's early kick-off, while in north London Harry Kane was brought down by a falling Jamaal Lascelles as Spurs desperately sought a way back into the game late on.

Both challenges looked worthy of penalties, yet neither of the match referees - Andre Marriner and Mike Dean - pointed to the spot and on each occasion VAR declined to overturn the on-field call.

Explaining the decision at Tottenham, refereeing body PGMOL explained: "It was considered not to be a penalty by the on-field referee.

"As this was a subjective decision, the VAR deemed that there was not enough evidence to overturn the original call and so stuck with the on-field decision."

City boss Pep Guardiola appeared to sarcastically lament the VAR system in a short press conference held after his side's 3-1 win.

Asked if City had deserved a penalty, he replied: "No, no, no. Penalty? No. It was clear hands last game, clear hands.

"A penalty today? No, please"

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