VAR vitriol and Man Utd continue rise – 5 things we learned this weekend

Arsenal’s winning start to the season was finally spoiled by a Manchester United side on the rise while a host of controversial rulings saw VAR in the spotlight again.

Here, the PA news agency picks out five things we learned from this weekend’s Premier League action.

If the introduction of VAR was intended to make decision-making a more harmonious prospect in the Premier League, this weekend provided a strong argument that it has achieved quite the opposite.

West Ham boss David Moyes criticised the refereeing in his side’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea, reserving especially choice words for VAR official Jarred Gillett after Maxwel Cornet’s last-gasp equaliser was chalked off following a monitor review of Jarrod Bowen’s contact with Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.

In an extended rant, Moyes decried the incident as being “no excuse for VAR”, a sentiment shared by Eddie Howe after Newcastle were denied a potential match-winner in what was ultimately a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

A deflection off Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell appeared to result in an own goal, but the decision was reversed after a VAR check determined Joe Willock had fouled Eagles keeper Vicente Guaita in the build-up.

The resulting controversy led to the Premier League announcing it would review the Newcastle and West Ham decisions with refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which on Sunday effectively admitted the calls were incorrect.

A few weeks ago neither bookies nor fans would have backed Manchester United as the likeliest to stop Arsenal’s 100 per cent start to the season, but that is precisely what happened as the upwardly-mobile Red Devils prevailed 3-1 to finish the weekend in fifth place.

Since starting the campaign with