In the ever-thrilling realm of the Premier League, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system continues to stir debate among fans and analysts alike.

Each week, contentious decisions leave fans questioning the transparency and accuracy of officiating. This week, we delve into the heated discussion surrounding Crystal Palace's penalty appeal during their clash against Liverpool, as well as a series of other contentious incidents that shaped the weekend’s fixtures.

Crystal Palace 0-1 Liverpool: A Controversial No-Call

During a tense moment in the 71st minute at Selhurst Park, Palace's Marc Guéhi signaled for a penalty, claiming that Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk was holding him in the box during a corner kick. Despite his protests, referee Simon Hooper waved him off, and VAR officiate David Coote upheld the on-field decision, determining that there was no foul worthy of a penalty kick.

Why Was No Penalty Awarded?

The crux of the VAR’s reasoning hinged on the concept of "impact." In this case, the officials ruled that Guéhi was not in a position to challenge for the ball, which diminished the relevance of the alleged holding by van Dijk. This raises the question: how should referees interpret holding and its impact on play?

According to Premier League guidelines, holding must be "sustained and impactful" to warrant a foul. It seems that VAR took a more lenient view of van Dijk's brief hold on Guéhi, ultimately deciding that it lacked the severity required to disrupt play.

A Tale of Two Penalties: Diving Deeper

In stark contrast to Palace’s situation, Newcastle United was awarded a penalty against Everton after Sandro Tonali was clearly thrown to the ground by James Tarkowski during a corner kick. Unlike van Dijk’s fleeting hold, Tarkowski's actions were described as "non-footballing," leaving VAR no choice but to intervene. The Newcastle penalty demonstrated a stricter interpretation of what constitutes a foul, highlighting the sometimes arbitrary nature of VAR decisions.

Debates Around Offside and Uncertain Calls

The drama didn't end there. The action in the Premier League also included an offside check that took an exhausting 2 minutes and 40 seconds to determine whether Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli was in play when he scored against Southampton. VAR eventually confirmed the goal, but many fans were left frustrated by the lengthy delay.

Conversely, the Newcastle vs. Everton game also saw Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin denied a penalty when he fell after a challenge with Dan Burn. The VAR ruled this was merely a 'coming together,' resulting in yet another contentious outcome that left Everton supporters demanding answers.

Handball Confusion: The Case of Leicester vs. Bournemouth

Adding to the VAR drama, a call for a handball penalty by Bournemouth's Illia Zabarnyi was denied despite appearing to handle the ball in the box. Over in other European leagues, handball penalties are more frequently awarded, highlighting a significant difference in the interpretation of rules between leagues.

Conclusion: VAR's Impact on the Game

As the season progresses, the VAR debate is sure to continue. While the initiative aimed to bring precision to officiating, questions about its consistency and user-friendliness linger. Fans demand clarity and fairness in every match, and without significant changes to the communication process surrounding officiating, discontent may only deepen.

In a league as competitive as the Premier League, the consequences of perceived injustices are magnified. Will VAR evolve to better meet expectations, or will it remain a source of frustration for players and fans alike? Only time will tell. Be sure to stay tuned as we analyze these thrilling matches and the surprising decisions that define them!