Europe-bound or lower mid-table? Where Régis Le Bris’ Sunderland would be without VAR mistakes
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Eyeing continental competition for only the second time in their history or idling along in lower mid-table: where should Sunderland lie in the Premier League this season - if not for VAR errors?
The system came to the Black Cats’ rescue in May’s Championship play-off final, when a Sheffield United goal was after an offside Vinicius Souza was judged to have impeded goalkeeper Anthony Patterson. But, with Sunderland now experiencing their first full season of VAR week in, week out, a football platform specialising in analysing the system – Squawka – claim that Sunderland would be higher in the table without VAR errors.
Two penalty decisions missed
According to Squakwa, Regis Le Bris’ side should have been awarded at least two additional Premier League penalties this season.
The first came in November’s 1-1 draw with Everton, when Noah Sadiki’s cross deflected off the outstretched hand of Michael Keane, but neither the referee nor VAR awarded a spot-kick. Then the Black Cats also had reason to feel aggrieved in the early moments of last month’s draw with AFC Bournemouth – with Alex Jimenez’ shove on Enzo Le Fée inside the box deemed another VAR mistake by Squakwa.
Elland Road controversy
However, as Sunderland picked up a huge three points at Elland Road last week to tick onto the 40-point mark, Squawka claim a VAR error worked in their favour.
Luke O’Nien grabbed Pascal Struijk by the neck from a Leeds corner, but both the referee and Stockley Park didn’t award a penalty – a mistake that Squakwa insist robbed Leeds of a spot kick. The Black Cats were later awarded a second-half penalty through VAR, converted by Habib Diarra to claim only their third league away win of the season.
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A tighter race for European football
But, without those errors, where should Sunderland really lie in the table? Squakwa believe Le Bris’ men would be two points – and two places - better off. Currently 11th, Sunderland would be ninth and heavily in contention for European football but for VAR cock-ups.
With seventh place potentially enough to secure UEFA Conference League football next season, Sunderland would be only one point behind Everton in that position in the table if it was amended to correct VAR mistakes. Local rivals Newcastle United would the biggest risers in the “corrected” table, while Nottingham Forest would drop into the relegation zone and Chelsea would jump into the top four.
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