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I thought the win and a few hours to cool off would calm me down but no – We need to talk about VAR again
Newcastle United secured a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, handing them just their second defeat of the season. However, the win was marred by a series of controversial decisions, particularly involving Ryan Yates, which left many questioning the effectiveness of VAR.
Eddie Howe’s side had to come from behind to secure the three points, despite the fact that Forest’s opening goal should never have stood. Ryan Yates’ blatant elbow to the face of Tino Livramento was not penalized, and while Livramento received treatment for a burst lip, VAR cleared the incident, much to the disbelief of the commentators who thought it was a clear foul. Shortly after, a mistimed tackle by Dan Burn resulted in a free-kick and a yellow card, which will see him miss the next match due to suspension.
The controversy continued when referee Anthony Taylor awarded Forest a corner that should have been a goal kick. While VAR can’t intervene in corner decisions, many wondered why it didn’t at least review the situation. After dealing with the corner, Newcastle conceded another free-kick, which was whipped in and headed home by Murillo. Had Yates been punished for his elbow, this goal likely wouldn’t have happened, as it should have been a free-kick to Newcastle—perhaps even a red card for Yates. If VAR could intervene in corner decisions, the goal may have been avoided altogether.
The frustration with Yates continued in the first half, as he went in on Sean Longstaff with studs up, catching him on the thigh. In any other game, that would have at least warranted a yellow card, but in this case, VAR couldn’t intervene for a second yellow. Many felt the challenge could have been a red card. When Yates finally received a booking, it came for the most trivial challenge he made all match, which further fueled the frustration.
The question now is: what is VAR really contributing to the game? While it was designed to review major incidents like handballs and offside calls, its lack of action in this match raised doubts. If it couldn’t act on Yates’ elbow, the dubious corner, or his dangerous tackle, what is its actual purpose? With semi-automated offsides set to become more prominent, it’s worth asking whether VAR still has a significant role to play.
Despite these controversies, Newcastle managed to secure a 3-1 win, which softened the blow somewhat. However, Yates, who should have faced a longer suspension for his actions, will now be available for Forest’s next match, likely to continue his disruptive role on the pitch.
