The future of VAR may be under scrutiny again, but it did not escape Alan Smith of The Mirror in his report on Albion’s 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea that “on a day when Wolves tabled a motion for clubs to vote over the future of VAR, citing an ‘erosion of trust’, it was inevitable that the system would be put to good use.”
Indeed, a series of interventions and non-interventions by VAR official Peter Bankes at Stockley Park provided many of the post-match talking points.
Ed Aarons of The Guardian wrote that “it was an evening to forget for the referee, Michael Salisbury, whose decision to award a penalty in the first half – after Facundo Buonanotte challenged Cucurella inside the penalty area – was overturned on a VAR recommendation on the day it was announced that Premier League clubs will vote whether to scrap the system for next season. But [Roberto] De Zerbi was left mystified by VAR’s failure to intervene when Malo Gusto seemed to foul Simon Adingra at the start of the second half.”
He added, “De Zerbi admitted this week that he had tried to sign Cole Palmer from Manchester City in the summer so there was an inevitability about his involvement in Chelsea’s opener. The England forward was able to steer his deft header over the despairing dive of Bart Verbruggen to Pochettino’s clear delight.
“Jackson had a header ruled out for offside in nine minutes of first-half injury time before João Pedro was unlucky to see his header cannon back off the crossbar in the closest Brighton had come to finding a breakthrough.
“The lively Nkunku and Gusto both went close for Chelsea after the break, but only Pascal Gross will know how he managed not to direct his volley on target from three yards from another Lamptey cross as De Zerbi was remonstrating with the fourth official about another decision. Simon Adingra struck a post in injury time with a volley as Brighton attempted to claw their way back before Welbeck scored from a João Pedro cross.”
Jordan Davies of The Sun also noted VAR’s intervention. “Robert De Zerbi’s Seagulls end this historic campaign – where they have competed on four fronts domestically and on the continent – battling for a top 10 presence.
“One win in their last nine in the Prem was not what De Zerbi had envisioned, yet the Italian knows that with their injury crisis soon behind them, next season bodes yet more promise.
“The Italian coach – now expected to remain at Brighton for another year at least – made two changes from last weekend as Pedro and Tariq Lamptey came in.
“But in the 16th minute, another ex-Seagull in Marc Cucurella thought he had won a penalty following Facundo Buonanotte’s lunge.
“Ref Michael Salisbury had no hesitation, that was until VAR requested a monitor review which showed Buonanotte had just won the ball. Who needs VAR, huh?”
Sam Dean of The Daily Telegraph wrote that “Brighton are a good side and they had moments of dominance, yet Chelsea twice flexed their muscles and twice demonstrated their class. Cole Palmer scored yet again, this time with a terrific header, before Christopher Nkunku issued a reminder that he still exists, and that he is a potential game-changer for his team.
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“Between the two goals, Chelsea had been fortunate that Pedro’s header struck the crossbar, and that referee Michael Salisbury had declined to award a penalty for a challenge by Gusto on Simon Adingra.
“The red for James changed the dynamic of the match, allowing Brighton to pour forward, and Danny Welbeck struck in stoppage time. The clock was always on Chelsea’s side, though, and in the end it was another deserved victory for a team that is growing by the game.”
Joe Rindl of the BBC noted that “Brighton have recorded just three wins since the start of March and have now tasted victory in just one of their past nine matches.
“With 10 minutes remaining a point seemed out of the question. But the Seagulls finished strongly with Simon Adingra striking the inside of the post moments before Welbeck's consolation goal.
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“The hosts also had a handful of chances to equalise when they were one goal down. Pedro hit the bar with a thumping header just before half-time, while Pascal Gross flicked an effort narrowly wide after the restart.
“Brighton also had a penalty shout of their own early in the second half when Gusto appeared to catch Adingra, but referee Salisbury waved play on.”
Finally, back to The Mirror’s Alan Smith, who wrote that “the hosts responded well [to Palmer’s opener]. Simon Adingra twice sent mid-range attempts a whisker wide and former Chelsea player Tariq Lamptey created plenty on the right.
“Within a minute of the restart Adingra was felled by Malo Gusto inside the Chelsea box only for play to continue. The absence of another VAR intervention left Brighton further enraged but it marked the start of a dominant spell from which the hosts could not capitalise.
“Pedro weaved goalwards and Cucurella intervened just as the Brazilian was about to pull the trigger, while Pascal Gross contrived to shoot wide from three yards. That miss would soon be punished by Chelsea’s game-settling second.”