The Premier League introduced the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) during the 2018-2019 season, and its use and impact have faced significant scrutiny ever since.
Here, we examine how the 2024-2025 Premier League table would look if VAR had never been implemented, with all on-field decisions remaining final.
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| Team | Games Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 38 | 81 |
| Arsenal | 38 | 79 |
| Manchester City | 38 | 69 |
| Chelsea | 38 | 69 |
| Nottingham Forest | 38 | 65 |
| Newcastle United | 38 | 64 |
| Aston Villa | 38 | 63 |
| Brentford | 38 | 60 |
| Brighton | 38 | 59 |
| Bournemouth | 38 | 58 |
| Crystal Palace | 38 | 55 |
| Fulham | 38 | 54 |
| Everton | 38 | 49 |
| Wolves | 38 | 46 |
| Manchester United | 38 | 42 |
| Tottenham | 38 | 38 |
| West Ham | 38 | 37 |
| Ipswich | 38 | 24 |
| Leicester | 38 | 22 |
| Southampton | 38 | 15 |
Premier League table without VAR
What happened last week?
There was only one controversial decision on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, and it came at Old Trafford against Aston Villa.
What’s worth noting is that this incident didn’t actually involve VAR, but we thought we’d include it as it caused quite the uproar and lead to some significant consequences for Unai Emery’s side.
Morgan Rogers stole the ball of United keeper Altay Bayindir and would go on to place the ball into an empty net. However, the referee blew the whistle before the ball crossed the line, as he deemed Rogers to have fouled the goalkeeper when taking the ball off him. Therefore, the goal couldn’t be checked.
Replays went on to show that Bayindir did not in fact have full control over the ball, and should the decision have gone to a review, it’s likely the goal would’ve stood and Villa would’ve gone 1-0 up – putting a completely different complexion on the game. What’s more is that it might’ve landed Villa Champions League football next season, hence so much discussion around the incident after the game.
Key Points
Liverpool
The league-leaders have been on both sides of VAR decisions this season, receiving four decisions in favour of the Reds, and three against. Most recently, in their controversial Merseyside Derby versus Everton, Liverpool were awarded a goal which won the game but many thought that Luis Diaz was offside and could have been overturned if a VAR check was initiated.
Liverpool were also awarded two penalties in their 3-1 win over Southampton in GW28, with the second coming late on. The Reds wanted a handball on Yukinari Sugawara at Anfield as the ball struck his arm when challenging Luis Diaz. The referee did not deem it a penalty, allowing play to continue, but VAR was poised to intervene. They believed that Sugawara had made a deliberate movement toward the ball with his arm, recommending an on-field review, resulting in a penalty being awarded.
Arsenal
Arsenal would still be in second place in the league if VAR were not in use. While they remain second, they would be closer to Liverpool at the top. One pivotal decision came when Kai Havertz’s goal against Chelsea was disallowed for offside via VAR. The game at Stamford Bridge ended 1-1, but without VAR, Arsenal would have secured two additional points, taking them to a total of 67.
Havertz was also penalised against Aston Villa where his goal would have secured three points for the Gunners. William Saliba was handed a red against Bournemouth in October last year in the 30th minute, if he wasn’t sent off then there’s an argument they wouldn’t have let two goals slip later on in the game.
Everton’s penalty in their recent 1-1 draw was deemed to be an incorrect decision by public opinion, costing Arsenal a crucial two points in the title race.
Arsenal have been deemed to have five VAR errors go again them this season, while none of the contentious decisions have gone in their favour, meaning they are the team to be ‘worst treated’ by VAR this season.
Manchester City
Manchester City would drop to sixth place, sitting below Chelsea, without VAR. A crucial moment occurred during their match against Wolves, where John Stones’ late goal (90+5’) was allowed after an offside call on Bernardo Silva was overturned by VAR.
Everton
The Toffees have had their fair share of grief from VAR, and have had five VAR decisions go against them compared to three in favour.
Everton were denied a penalty in the dying moments of their game at Goodison Park against Manchester United. Ashley Young was brought down in the Red Devils’ box after having his shirt pulled by Matthijs de Ligt. Should the penalty have been given and scored, Everton would have two more points on the board. Perhaps the dubious manner in which Young fell convinced the referee that no penalty should be awarded.
