Ref Watch: Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty against Tottenham could not be annulled by VAR, says Dermot Gallagher | Football news

In the latest edition of Watch ref, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher assesses key incidents from the weekend’s games, including a controversial penalty in Arsenal’s victory in the North London derby.

Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham

2:59

INCIDENT: Alexandre Lacazette takes an aerial shot in the Tottenham area. Davinson Sánchez slides forward, at which point he falls. Michael Oliver concedes a penalty, which Lacazette scores.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: It is not a penalty, but the VAR cannot override Oliver’s decision.

DERMOT SAYS: “I think Lacazette did a very interesting interview after the game where he said he felt very lucky to get it. I agree with him.

“The problem is that Michael Oliver is behind the play. He sees Sánchez cross with the high boot, I don’t think he sees the aerial shot. I think he thinks it is Sánchez connecting with Laczaette, he knocks him down, that’s why he gives a foul.

“Then he transmits to the VAR what he has seen, how he has seen it, and I think that has led Paul Tierney to a corner. I don’t think I can ask him to go to the monitor because the football game cannot be re-refereed.

“I think it is a small error in the process, because the referee made a decision on the field and the VAR cannot re-referee the situation, they have to stick to the decision on the field. But he is very, very lucky.

“Lacazette has gone to play the ball in the air, Sánchez has crossed to block, he’s a defender, that’s what he’s trying to do, and Lacazette’s momentum has led him to Sánchez.”

INCIDENT: Erik Lamela, already with a yellow card, catches Kieran Tierney in the face with his arm and is shown a second warning before being sent off.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: Right decision.

DERMOT SAYS: “You take a huge risk doing this at any point in the game, especially if you have a yellow card.

“I was trying to stop him, but if you throw your arm up and catch someone in the throat, you’ll get a yellow card. I don’t think I could have a problem with that.”

INCIDENT: Harry Kane crashes into Gabriel late after the ball goes away, but nothing is hit.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: Yellow card.

DERMOT SAYS: “I think it’s aggressive, I don’t think it’s dangerous or that it endangers Gabriel’s safety, a yellow card would be fine, but it’s definitely not a red card.

“If someone had a red card for that, we’d be doing more of a story about what we’re doing now.

Everton 1-2 Burnley

2:59

INCIDENT: Ben Mee rises above Mason Holgate from a corner and calls for a penalty when the ball appears to hit the Everton defender’s arm. A goal kick is awarded and the VAR does not intervene.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: Right decision.

DERMOT SAYS: “I think there are several things to consider here. Is Holgate’s arm trapped, is Ben Mee climbing over it?

“What I would say is that if the referee is sent to the screen, he keeps options, he can give a penalty, he can go with his decision on the goal kick field or call a foul.

“I think he would be wrong for a foul by Ben Mee, who is climbing on his back, he’s caught in the arm, so I don’t think you can give a penalty.”

Crystal Palace 1-0 West Brom

2:59

INCIDENT: Darnell Furlong leans into the delivery of Wilfried Zaha, who punches him in the arm in his own area. A VAR review awards Crystal Palace a penalty, after verifying the incident and possible offside in preparation.

DERMOT’S VERDICT: Right decision.

DERMOT SAYS: “This is where the VAR works perfectly. The arm is extended, the referee does not have the sight we have, he is leaning on the ball, the VAR picks it up, it is clear that it is a penalty and the offside is also cleared.

“The process worked perfectly, correct decision, correct reboot.”