Premier League match centre explains the two key VAR incidents in Sunderland's win over Leeds United

Sunderland beat Leeds United 1-0 at Elland Road on Tuesday night in another game marked by significant VAR drama.

After a drab first half in which neither side threatened the goal even if Leeds dominated possession, the game came to life around the hour mark. The hosts thought they had the lead when Anton Stach’s free kick was headed in from close range by defender Joe Rodon at the far post, with the goal initially being rewarded. However, a VAR check followed and the goal was disallowed - with the Premier League match centre publishing the image which showed that Rodon had moved beyond the last defender when the free kick was struck. The statement said: “VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Rodon was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

Sunderland then won a penalty just minutes later, with referee Stuart Attwell initially waving away Sunderland’s appeal for a handball. However, the VAR team advised that he review the incident on his monitor. The replays showed that having initially blocked Wilson Isidor’s shot, Ethan Ampadu moved his arm towards the ball in the moments that followed and made contact. The referee ruled that it was a deliberate act, and Habib Diarra stepped up to score the crucial goal from the spot.

After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Sunderland. Referee announcement: “After review, Leeds 4 deliberately handles the ball in the penalty area. My final decision is penalty kick."

There is likely to be much more discussion in the post-match analysis, however, after VAR opted not to intervene with one first-half incident. Leeds felt they should have had a penalty when Luke O’Nien appeared to haul Pascal Struijk to the ground as a corner was taken, but nothing was given and VAR did not intervene.

TNT Sports pundit and former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford said he was left ‘bemused by the incident’.

The win moves Sunderland onto 40 points, fifteen clear of the bottom three as things stand.

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