With VAR making its debut in the Premier League this season, the technology was bound to make its presence known at some point. This moment just happened to be the second game of the season.
That fixture was Man City’s clash with West Ham. This early Saturday kick-off saw the reigning champions begin their title defense at the Olympic Stadium, with this match being the first-ever English top-flight game to witness a VAR referral.
The Citizens broke the deadlock in the first half thanks to Gabriel Jesus before De Bruyne and Sterling combined to double their lead. The Brazilian forward thought he completed his brace when he found the back of the net for a second time, burying the ball into an empty net after a lovely build-up, but Video Assistant Referee had other plans.
The goal immediately underwent a VAR check before Mike Dean overturned it after Sterling was deemed to be offside when setting up Jesus. However, controversy soon erupted as it was only the Englishman’s arm that appeared to have been offside.
Only when a part of the player’s body that he can score with is offside can the player be flagged but the goal was chalked off nonetheless. This led to many criticizing VAR as still being faulty.
Others were keen on trolling Mike Dean, a referee who is popular on social media for all the wrong reasons. Check out the best tweets below.
The first VAR decision that rules out a beautiful Man City team goal...#WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/giwXKl8cr2
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) August 10, 2019
Confirmation of the VAR decision to disallow Gabriel Jesus’ second goal of the game.
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 10, 2019
[via @ManCityBrazil] pic.twitter.com/fh8AMLDasu
46': Second Half starts
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) August 10, 2019
51': West Ham 0-2 Man City
53': West Ham 0-3 Man City
55': VAR overturns Man City's third goal.
Gabriel Jesus becomes the first player to have his goal overturned via VAR in the Premier League. pic.twitter.com/ytX9w9S0kr
Can someone explain why one goal stood and the other didn’t?#VAR #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/SJAMVUkQgd
— City Threading (@City_Threading) August 10, 2019
Clear and obvious they said...
— 3-5-2 (@TheSporTalk) August 10, 2019
VAR #WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/QgXhNyJXd5
That gal has been ruled out by VAR for offside against Sterling - even though the replay seemed to show it was his arm that was offside. VAR will solve nothing. #MCFC
— Stuart Brennan (@StuBrennanMEN) August 10, 2019
PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY!
— bwin (@bwin) August 10, 2019
VAR had disallowed its first ever goal in the Premier League.
Of course Mike Dean was the referee...#WHUMCI pic.twitter.com/yuuInEGWxJ
First referee to brandish 100 Premier League red cards
— bet365 (@bet365) August 10, 2019
Sent off a player by saying "off you pop"
Celebrated a Tranmere win by standing on seats in front of TV cameras
First Premier League referee to call upon VAR
Mike Dean's updated CV pic.twitter.com/L7fbLTWEHe