The Premier League Table Without VAR: We Take A Look At Which Teams Would Make The Top 6

David Tully

5 months ago

Categories: Galleries, Manchester City News

Tags: Arsenal, aston villa, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Southampton, spurs, West Ham, wolves

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has continued to be a hot topic of debate despite it being in use for the last 4 seasons in the Premier League.

VAR was designed to reduce the number of incorrect decisions but many fans feel that the technology has taken something away from the beautiful game.

In this post, we will show you how the current Premier League table would look without the influence of VAR.

Press the next page as we list the top 6 teams this season without the points gained/lost due to VAR decisions (as of 21st December 2023).

6) Newcastle – 29 Pts Without VAR (0 Difference)

The Magpies are exactly where they would be in the table even if VAR wasn’t in operation. There is no net/gain or loss with the involvement of a video referee.

Undoubtedly the most controversial moment was their winner against Arsenal back at the start of November.

On that occasion, despite there being a case for three separate infringements, VAR stuck with the on-field decision, allowing Anthony Gordon’s goal to stand.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said it was a “disgrace” that VAR didn’t intervene.

5) Tottenham – 33 Pts Without VAR (0 Difference)

Spurs started off the season so well that some pundits even considered them as title contenders.

However, injuries and their subsequent loss of form has meant that Ange Postecoglou’s side have slipped back into the chasing pack.

Tottenham continue to play an expansive, attractive brand of football which has won them many admirers.

Their position in the table is not down to favourable VAR decisions. They would be 5th in the table either way.

4)Manchester City – 34 Pts Without VAR (0 Difference)

There was recent controversy in City’s game against Tottenham that left Pep Guardiola and his players furious. Referee Simon Hooper failed to give advantage when Jack Grealish was in on goal.

With the score 2-2, it could have led to the Premier League champions clinching a vital victory but, as it was, Hooper pulled the game back for a foul.

This incident had nothing to do with VAR, though. Hooper is not duty-bound to give any team an advantage so he wasn’t even disciplined by the PGMOL for his actions.

While that decision has riled City fans, the fact is, VAR has had no impact on where they are currently in the table.

3) Aston Villa – 36 Pts without VAR (-2 Difference)

It’s been an extraordinary season for Unai Emery’s side so far and, if certain decisions had gone their way, they could be top of the table.

VAR has meant that Villa are 2 points worse off than they would have been if it wasn’t in operation.

Even so, the Villans are still in touching distance of leaders Arsenal, having beaten City and the Gunners in the space of a few days earlier this month.

Their extraordinary form at Villa Park could well be the backbone for an unlikely title challenge.

2) Liverpool – 37 Pts Without VAR (-1 Difference)

Luis Diaz’s goal should have stood against Tottenham back in September. The decision-making process for offsides has improved since then but that will be no consolation to Jurgen Klopp.

That loss to Spurs remains the Reds’ only defeat in the Premier League so far this campaign, and there is still a great sense of injustice about the result.

Klopp even suggested replaying the game in the aftermath of the mistake, before rowing back on his remarks.

Whether the incompetence of VAR officials will ultimately have any bearing on Liverpool’s season, we shall have to wait and see.

1) Arsenal – 38 Pts Without VAR (-1 Difference)

As mentioned in the Newcastle section, Arteta is certainly no fan of VAR, and he has continued to rail at refereeing decisions made against his team since that defeat at St James’ Park.

Fans and pundits are split on whether Arteta should be criticising officials so heavily in public.

He was ultimately not charged for his comments following the loss to the Magpies, but he has picked up 3 yellow cards for his behaviour on the touchline.

Considering how toxic conversations can be about referees, you would hope that managers would set a better example so they don’t fan the flames.