Premier League table with no VAR sees Arsenal move above Liverpool as Chelsea and Tottenham drop places


VAR continues to be a bone of contention for players, fans and managers alike in the Premier League. The highest-profile decision involving VAR this weekend was at Anfield as Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt was penalised for a handball after a VAR review. Liverpool were awarded a penalty, scored by Mohamed Salah, as the game finished 2-2 in another twist to the Premier League title race.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were both angered by a lack of intervention from VAR over the weekend. The Gunners drew 1-1 at Brighton and Hove Albion after the hosts were awarded a second half penalty when William Saliba collided heads with João Pedro while Spurs lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle United. The Magpies opening goal came after the ball struck Joelinton’s arm but with the hand not deemed to be in an unnatural potion or the touch classed as leading directly to a goal, VAR did not get involved.
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Hide AdAfter more contention, we have looked at how the Premier League table might look without the technology. By taking away goals awarded or disallowed by VAR, including those scored by VAR-awarded penalties, here’s where teams might stand...
Premier League table without VAR
20th - Southampton, 7 points (+1)
VAR had a role to play as the Saints threw away a 2-0 lead against Leicester City earlier in the season. One of the Foxes' three goals came after VAR deemed that Ryan Fraser had pulled Jamie Vardy back, the veteran striker scoring from the spot kick.
19th - Leicester City, 11 points (-3)
Struggling Leicester City would be even worse off without VAR this season.
18th - Ipswich Town, 14 points
Would have shared a point with Spurs rather than claiming all three if Dominic Solanke’s goal had stood. Did also see a João Félix goal disallowed for offside in their 2-0 win over Chelsea. Had a penalty given against them against Fulham, as they settled for a 2-2 draw.
17th - Wolves, 17 points (+1)
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Hide AdWolves would have claimed a point at Manchester City if VAR had not intervened and ruled that John Stones' 95th-minute winner should stand.
16th - Everton, 17 points
15th - West Ham, 20 points (-3)
Benefited from a late penalty against Manchester United, which Jarrod Bowen converted, to pick up an extra two points thanks to VAR. Also had a penalty awarded in the 1-1 draw against AFC Bournemouth, which Lucas Paqueta scored from.
14th - Crystal Palace, 23 points (+2)
The Eagles have not been friends of VAR this season with the system costing them two points.


13th - Tottenham Hotspur, 25 points (+1)
Would have picked up a point against Ipswich Town if Dominic Solanke's goal had stood. VAR did check Newcastle's first goal at the weekend but the decision was already given on-field with Spurs calling for a handball against Joelinton.
12th - Manchester United, 26 points (+3)
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Hide AdThe Red Devils would have likely picked up at least an extra point with a draw against Brighton should a Joshua Zirkzee goal have stood. Instead, it was ruled out for offside. Then, against Liverpool on Sunday they could have claimed all three points if not for VAR intervening after a handball by Matthijs de Ligt that saw a penalty awarded to the hosts.
11th - Fulham, 28 points (-2)
Wouldn't have picked up a point against Arsenal if Bukayo Saka's late goal at Craven Cottage had stood. Also had VAR award a penalty, scored by Raul Jimenez, in their 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.
10th - Brentford, 29 points (+2)
Yoane Wissa's goal disallowed for offside against Brighton would have been enough for all three points on December 27.
9th - Brighton, 29 points (+1)
Yoane Wissa had a goal disallowed for offside for Brentford in a 0-0 draw while the Seagulls saw a VAR call go against them when Aston Villa were awarded a penalty for a foul by Joao Pedro on Morgan Rogers. Ollie Watkins scored it as the sides drew 2-2.
8th - Aston Villa, 31 points (-1)
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Hide AdThe Villans were awarded a penalty against Crystal Palace thanks to VAR, but Youri Tielemans saw his spot kick saved anyway. There was a Watkins goal from the penalty spot against Brighton as already highlighted above. That helped earn a point for the hosts.
7th - Manchester City, 32 points (-2)
The Champions would be two points worse off without VAR as the system helped award the John Stones winner against Wolves.
6th - Newcastle United, 33 points (-2)
The Magpies earned a draw at Bournemouth but only after VAR intervened to rule out a late winner for the home side. Everton also had a goal ruled out by VAR against Eddie Howe’s men.
5th - Chelsea, 35 points (-1)
The Blues picked up an extra point thanks to VAR spotting that Kai Havertz was offside for Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. As mentioned, Felix was denied a goal at Ipswich in their 2-0 loss.


Arsenal lead the table without VAR
4th - AFC Bournemouth, 37 points (+4)
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Hide AdIt's been an impressive campaign from the Cherries, who would have even more points if VAR wasn't in place. Bournemouth would also have picked up three points against West Ham if the London outfit hadn't been given a penalty by VAR. They were also denied a late winner against Newcastle after a handball was spotted.
3rd - Nottingham Forest, 37 points
2nd - Liverpool, 43 points (-3)
The league leaders would be three points worse off without VAR this season. Most recently, they had a penalty awarded after VAR intervention against Manchester United on Sunday.
1st - Arsenal, 44 points (+4)
The Gunners would have an extra four points if Kai Havertz's opener against Chelsea had stood, as well as Bukayo Saka's winner at Craven Cottage. William Saliba was also sent off against Bournemouth after VAR intervention.
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