Liverpool’s eight-point lead would be halved without VAR rulings

Liverpool return after the international break with an eight-point lead in the Premier League table but without VAR, their advantage would have been halved.This seasons introduction of the system into the top flight has been frequently controversial, though the number of incidents reviewed and overturned has been surprisingly low.Despite that, the effects on the league table are already clear starting at the very top.How have key places been affected?(PA Graphic)When Gabriel Jesus stoppage-time winner against Tottenham in August was disallowed, with VAR showing the ball had brushed City team-mate Aymeric Laportes arm in the build-up, it immediately looked a key moment.With another tense title fight expected between City and Liverpool, such moments could ultimately decide top spot.While that is not the case as it stands given Citys recent defeats, the two points lost have widened the gap as Jurgen Klopps side continue their 100 per cent start thanks to a disallowed goal for Chelseas Cesar Azpilicueta that would have cost them two points.With 24 points to Citys 16 through eight games, the Reds are dominant, but without VAR it would be a less imposing 22 against 18.VAR chalked off this goal from Cesar Azpilicueta, centre (Nick Potts/PA)That Azpilicueta goal, when Mason Mount strayed offside earlier in the attack, would have also lifted Chelsea into the Champions League places at Leicesters expense and up to third ahead of Arsenal who would have lost to Manchester United, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyangs goal only given after a review.At the other end of the table, Southampton would be in the relegation zone had VAR not disallowed Oli McBurnies goal against them for Sheffield United in September Saints ultimately won that match 1-0.Which teams have been most affected?Leicesters Youri Tielemans commiserates with Leander Dendoncker after Wolves were denied victory (Tim Goode/PA)In terms of relative league position, Wolves are the main victims of VAR so far with a drop of four places in the standings.Leander Dendonckers disallowed goal against Leicester, when Willy Boly was penalised for handball, cost Wolves two additional points which would have left them seventh instead of their current position of 11th.Bournemouth, by contrast, would drop five places from 10th to 15th had Joshua Kings goal in September 28ths draw with West Ham not been awarded by VAR.Manchester United are languishing in 12th but would have at least been in the top half, in 10th, had Aubameyangs goal not been awarded. Their current position would instead be filled by Tottenham, who would drop three places from ninth but for their reprieve when Jesus netted.Tottenham benefited when Gabriel Jesus, right, was denied by VAR (Martin Rickett/PA)Brighton would be three places and two points better off had Leandro Trossards volley earned them victory over West Ham, but an offside against Dan Burn was picked up on replay.West Hams games have been most affected, with five VAR decisions helping to change the score in four of their eight games. Strangely, though, all five decisions affected goals for the Hammers opponents Jesus (again) and Trossard denied, but Citys Sergio Aguero benefiting from a re-taken penalty while King and Crystal Palaces Jordan Ayew had offside calls overturned.At the other end of the scale, Newcastle, Everton, Norwich and Watfords games have been unaffected by VAR reversals though Newcastle got lucky when Isaac Haydens handball was missed before Fabian Schars goal against the Hornets.Caught on camera Confirmation of the VAR decision that saw King's goal correctly given #BOUWHU pic.twitter.com/LZvPipQTnJ Premier League (@premierleague) September 28, 2019Two players have multiple goals affected, with Jesus the unluckiest player since the introduction of VAR having had two goals chalked off due to the most marginal of infringements by team-mates, halving his tally to date.Raheem Sterling was millimetres offside at West Ham on the opening day while Laporte had no intention to handle against Spurs but with no clear and obvious standard to overcome for those decisions, both goals were wiped out.King, though, has already seen his luck even out he was offside when converting Dominic Solankes pass against Southampton but just a week later was shown to be onside from Nathan Akes touch against West Ham.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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