Premier League 2019/20: 8 Big Takeaways From Gameweek One

It has been coming for some time now, and after being implemented in the World Cup, the Champions League, and the FA Cup, 2019 is the year VAR is finally introduced into the top flight of English football. There have been big moments in these competitions decided by the Video Assistant Referee, and it did not take long to have an effect on the Premier League.

Though the opening game of the season, Liverpool vs. Norwich, ran relatively VAR free, the new technology had a huge impact on the early kick off on Saturday between West Ham and Man City. Not only was a potential second goal for Gabriel Jesus ruled out for offside, Sterling’s actual second goal was confirmed by VAR. There were just millimetres in both decisions. Later, Sergio Aguero was lucky to have the chance to retake his poor penalty thanks to encroachment from Declan Rice, smashing the second attempt home for his first goal of the season.

Despite reviewing dozens more incidents over the course of the weekend’s games, VAR overturned just one more decision. For a good minute or two, Wolves thought they had taken the lead against Leicester after Leander Dendoncker put the ball in the back of the net, only to have the Video Assistant Referee rule it out due to Willy Boly handling the ball in the build-up.