Furious Wolves boss Gary O’Neil stated dangerous refereeing selections had been hurting his status and “people’s livelihoods” after his group had been on the fallacious finish of extra VAR controversy of their 3-2 Premier League defeat at Fulham on Monday. Willian scored two penalties — together with a stoppage-time winner — whereas Alex Iwobi’s early strike for Fulham was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha and Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan additionally netted from the spot.
But VAR was as soon as once more the speaking level after an engrossing match at Craven Cottage.
Fulham began the match brightly and took a deserved lead within the seventh minute with a properly labored purpose down the left, completed by Iwobi.
The guests had been degree halfway via the primary half when Cunha headed dwelling after glowing wing play on the precise by Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.
Referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half, ruling that Nelson Semedo had fouled Tom Cairney within the field, though the defender appeared to have gotten a contact on the ball.
Following a prolonged VAR examine Willian stepped ahead and rolled the ball to the goalkeeper’s left, including to the ache for O’Neil, whose group have been on the fallacious finish of a spate of controversial penalty selections this season.
Wolves had been awarded a spot-kick of their very own when Tim Ream made a slipshod problem on Hwang and the South Korean lashed dwelling down the center to tug his aspect degree within the 75th minute.
But there was nonetheless time for a 3rd penalty of the half.
Salisbury had initially waved away penalty claims when Joao Gomes and Harry Wilson got here collectively within the dying minutes however reversed his choice after VAR officers suggested him to have a look at the pitchside monitor.
Willian made no mistake to seal the win for Fulham within the 94th minute.
An emotional O’Neil stated Salisbury admitted he ought to have been suggested to examine the pitchside monitor for the primary spot-kick, including a spate of massive selections had gone in opposition to his aspect.
“Nelson (Semedo) plays the ball and doesn’t touch Tom Cairney,” he advised Sky Sports. “The referee says he felt that was wrong and he should have been sent to the monitor.
“That would not assist me. So that one has been just about admitted that it was a mistake. The Harry Wilson one we disagree. I really feel it was smooth. For all 4 selections to go in opposition to us is hard to take and we did not deserve that.”
– VAR impact –
He said “dangerous refereeing selections” were having a huge impact on teams and managers.
“This is an enormous membership,” he added. “The impression that you’re having on my status, and the membership and other people’s livelihoods is very large.
“We should be able to talk about the game and not decisions but unfortunately we can’t.”
He added: “I have always been for VAR but I think it is causing problems at the moment. I think VAR has cost us there…. The fact that we have conceded two, for me VAR is not helping with subjective decisions. Maybe tonight has finally turned me against VAR.”
Fulham boss Marco Silva stated his group had confirmed a “good winning spirit” to take three factors for the primary time since early October, lifting them 10 factors away from the relegation zone.
But he additionally questioned two of the penalty awards.
“The second (Fulham) one is a clear penalty,” he added. “The first for us and the one for them were a bit more soft. I hope (VAR) can always make the right decisions because it’s their job.”
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