Liverpool sit top of the Premier League after nine games with Arsenal and Manchester City just a point behind as clubs take a break from action. The international fixtures are taking centre stage before the top-flight English sides return to domestic action. The Gunners are hoping to finally dethrone City as Premier League champions but look like they’ll also need to overcome the Reds to end their 20-year wait for a league title.
Fulham have enjoyed an impressive start to the league campaign and sit on 11 points, one above Tottenham Hotspur while Brentford are a point further back. Spurs entered the international break on the back of a humiliating 3-2 loss at Brighton and Hove Albion as they threw away a two-goal lead on the south coast. West Ham are on eight points after an inconsistent start while Crystal Palace have had the worst start of any London side, as they sit in the bottom three and are without a win so far. But how might the early table look without the impact of VAR? The technology has been a focus of debate and contention since it’s introduction with Wolves even going as far to table a vote over the summer to scrap the system - it did not pass, however.
Following the involvements from VAR this season we have looked at how the table might look without the use of the technology. Factoring in VAR decisions that led to goals being disallowed or awarded by Stockley Park, including via penalties, here’s how the table might look as things stand...
9. 12th: Brentford - 10 points
VAR awarded the Bees a penalty against Wolves in the eight-goal thriller before the international break. Bryan Mbeumo scored it as the hosts won 5-3. | Getty Images
10. 11th: Nottingham Forest - 10 points
Forest earned a point against Bournemouth but only after Dango Ouattara had a goal disallowed for an offside against Lewis Cook. However, they were also denied a point late last month after VAR awarded a penalty to Fulham - scored by Raúl Jiménez - for a foul by Murillo on Andreas Pereira. Fulham won the game 1-0. So overall they have gained one point and lost one through VAR calls. | Getty Images
11. 10th: Tottenham Hotspur - 10 points
VAR has yet to overturn any decisions for or against Spurs this season. | Getty Images
12. 9th: Newcastle United - 10 points (-2 points)
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 ahead of the international break. | AFP via Getty Images