It was another dramatic Premier League weekend - and one that was once again clouded by VAR controversy.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb was forced to apologise to players and coaches and Brighton after admitting that Kaoru Mitoma should have been awarded a penalty in their chaotic 2-1 defeat at Tottenham. Mitouma was seemingly felled in the box by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, but referee Stuart Attwell waved the appeals away while Michael Salisbury didn't feel the incident merited a VAR decision.
It wasn't the only call that angered the Seagulls, who had boss Roberto De Zerbi sent to the stands alongside Spurs' acting head coach Cristian Stellini. But it was the most critical one, and could potentially cost Brighton a Champions League place and with it, a £30 million windfall. However, it's far from the first time that a red-faced Webb has been pressed into saying sorry this season.....
Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa, 20 August 2022
Webb's first apology of the campaign came after referee Andy Madley awarded a penalty for handball against Villa’s Lucas Digne, having initially waved play on.
But after watching the footage on the pitch side monitor, Madley somewhat dubiously changed his mind.
Chelsea 2-1 West Ham, 3 September 2022
It's been tough times for Chelsea this season, and that's despite being gifted two extra points from their home game with West Ham back in September.
Maxwell Cornet seemingly made it 2-2 late on, only for teammate Jarrod Bowen to be wrongly judged to have fouled Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.
Webb saying sorry was all well and good, but David Moyes would probably have preferred an extra point.
Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace, 3 September 2022
Another example of video footage being used, only to yield the wrong call.
An own-goal by Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell was disallowed after Newcastle’s Joe Willock was ruled to have impeded keeper Vicente Guaita.
Manchester United 3-1 Arsenal, 4 September 2022
An error that could yet be a major factor in the final Premier League table.
Gabriel Martinelli’s goal for Arsenal was chalked off after Martin Odegaard was deemed to have fouled Christian Eriksen in the build-up. He didn't.
Fulham 3-0 Aston Villa, 20 October 2022
Aleksandr Mitrovic at the centre of controversy? Sounds familiar.
Although on this occasion he was fortunate, instigating a bust-up from which Villa's Douglas Luiz was somehow seen as the perpetrator and sent off.
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Brentford, 5 November 2022
Webb would have been wincing at this one before he even apologised. Forest keeper Dean Henderson made contact with Yoane Wissa, but replays proved the Brentford forward initiated the contact.
Nevertheless, the spot kick was still given though.
Aston Villa 3-1 Manchester United, 6 November 2022
A sublime Lucas Digne free-kick was the highlight of this clash, even if he did receive a helping hand. A post-match review concluded the United wall was set too far back, allowing Digne some bonus room to work his magic.
Brighton 2-1 Liverpool, 29 January 2023
Liverpool's Fabinho somehow escaped with just a yellow card after a studs up challenge on Evan Ferguson. The entire world wondered why it wasn't a red card, even Fabinho apologised and seemed to know he should be sent down the tunnel.
Arsenal 1-1 Brentford, 11 February 2023
If it wasn't so farcical it would be funny.
VAR official Lee Mason checked the offside situation before awarding an equaliser - it just so happened he checked the wrong player, leaving Arsenal incensed.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton, 11 February 2023
Another apology to Brighton. Bizarrely, the offside lines were drawn in the wrong place, meaning Pervis Estupinan's goal was wrongly chalked off.
Following Saturday's game with the Seagulls, fair to say lightning has struck thrice.
