Outrage followed the Manchester derby earlier this month after Pro Ref admitted to a VAR error in awarding Erling Haaland’s winning goal. Their failure to spot Enzo Fernandez interfering with play from an offside position seemed inconceivable given how the Argentine midfielder obviously dived to header the ball.

Michael Carrick said he was ‘worried’ and pointed out the number of screens and people that are supporting those on VAR duty. For many fans, it was the tip of the iceberg and removing VAR from top-flight football is becoming increasingly desired.

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Haaland’s goal in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United isn’t the only major VAR-related controversy to occur at the very start of the new season. Arsenal were furious after Sunderland were awarded a penalty over a ‘holding offence’ involving Ezri Konsa and Dan Ballard.

Unlike United, that refereeing decision and a lack of VAR intervention didn’t prove costly. They won 2-0 on the night but Pro Ref have acknowledged the spot-kick had been ‘incorrectly awarded’ despite not being ‘a clear and obvious error.’

With so much drama relating to VAR causing havoc, it’s interesting to see how the Premier League table would look if the technology wasn’t in existence, according to FotMob.

Relegation Zone

Reuters/Andrew Boyers

It’s not often teams speak of VAR in a positive light, but Coventry City are benefiting from it, as without the technology, the newly-promoted Sky Blues find themselves bottom of the table. They’d be sitting on one point rather than three and that’s because of a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest which saw the Tricky Trees have a late equaliser controversially ruled out.

Joining them in the bottom three are Tottenham Hotspur, who move up one position off the bottom of the table. Roberto De Zerbi’s struggling Spurs side remain on two points, so VAR can’t be blamed for their woeful form.

Aston Villa turned a corner last Saturday when they beat the Lilywhites 3-2 away from home. If VAR weren’t in effect, Unai Emery’s men would be 18th with two points from five games rather than four.

Bottom Half

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VAR makes no difference for Fulham, who stay on two points but move above Spurs and Villa into 17th place. Alvaro Arbeloa argued after a 1-1 draw against Manchester United that all the decisions went the visitors’ way at Craven Cottage.

Sunderland slip down to 16th without VAR, earning a point less than they have in actuality. They drew 1-1 away to Brentford in their second game and that’s the one that Pro Ref’s technology assistance has proven to be beneficial.

Moving up two positions are Bournemouth, who’d have taken four rather than three points in their first five outings. Marco Silva’s men have drawn three and lost two of those matches.

VAR has come in handy for Ipswich Town, who fall to 14th without it, with six points to their name. That wouldn’t make for as impressive reading as their current spot in 11th.

It’s been a testing start for Pierre Sage in charge of Crystal Palace but he hasn’t been helped out by VAR. Without it, his Eagles move up two places into 13th on six points rather than four.

Manchester United rightfully felt wronged after their derby defeat, but Carrick’s men are struggling even if VAR didn’t exist and Michael Oliver’s decision to rule out Haaland’s goal stood. They’d still sit 12th even if they had taken a point from that game.

There’s no defending Chelsea‘s defensive mishaps under Xabi Alonso and that’s why they are mid-table rather than those watching on from Stockley Park. In fact, if VAR weren’t available, the Blues would move down one place but remain on seven points.

Top Half

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REUTERS/Tony O Brien

If Oliver Glasner takes a glimpse at this table, he might soon be on the phone to Evangelos Marinakis about protesting against VAR. That’s because his Nottingham Forest side have suffered the most from its use and shoot up from 13th to 10th without it.

Newcastle United and this season’s surprise package Hull City stay put in ninth and eighth respectively. Above them are noticeable changes though, as Leeds United move down two places.

The Peacocks have one less point to their name if not for VAR being used, having drawn three of their opening five matches. Everton instead displaces them in sixth but remain with nine points amid an impressive start from David Moyes’ side.

Fabian Hurzeler might not be too opposed to the use of video assistant referees as his high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion are actually two places better off with it. Without it, their 10 points tally remains intact, but they slip out of the top four and down to fifth.

Top Four

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

Arteta, meanwhile, won’t be pleased to learn that in a world of no VAR his defending champions sit top of the Premier League table. While Arsenal would stick on 12 points, it’s their potential title rivals that have benefitted from video assistance.

Manchester City have won all five of their opening games but that Manchester derby win has proven decisive. Without VAR, Enzo Maresca’s men are third with 11 points rather than 15.

Interestingly, Brentford‘s remarkable start to the campaign gets even better as the Bees fly up one position into second. They are two points worse off with VAR in play and that only further highlights the exceptional job Keith Andrews is doing at the Gtech.

In fourth would be Liverpool, who have two more points and switch from sixth and into the Champions League places. The Reds have drawn three of their opening five games.

Data correct as of 23/09/2026