There are surely only so many apologies Howard Webb can dish out. He's starting to sound like Simon Cooper when he was throttled after Jay Cartwright had slandered a few bus users.
PGMOL's Chief Refereeing Officer was keen to make a strong impression at the start of the new season, but the Premier League's officials have quickly dashed Webb's initial hopes. The poor bloke's already been forced to explain a number of dubious decisions during the first month of action while Michael Owen monotonously queries the 2010 World Cup final referee.
Much of the controversy at this early stage of the 2023/24 campaign has surrounded the video assistant referee (VAR). Brought in as a means of making life easier for the on-field officials, the complication of rules and apparent incompetence by those in charge of the technology means it simply hasn't brought about the greater precision many expected and desired.
However, VAR perhaps hasn't been such a major factor in determining match outcomes at the start of the new season as you might've expected. Here's how the Premier League table would look if VAR was no more.
2023/24 Premier League table without VAR
Data correct as of 13 September 2023
Overall, there wouldn't be too many changes to the current Premier League table if the referee's on-field decisions were taken as gospel. Ultimately, there's a hesitancy for the video assistant referee to intervene and alter the official's mind.
Offsides, meanwhile, haven't been at the centre of controversy (yet) this season.
Just four teams would boast different points tallies if VAR wasn't around, with Spurs being the most hard-done-by despite their impressive start to the season. While the entire contest would've played out differently, Brentford were awarded a spot-kick following VAR intervention on Matchday 1 which drew the Bees level after Cristian Romero's opener.
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw. As a result, Brentford could've been a point worse off with Spurs claiming two extra points to top the table alongside Man City.
Man Utd would also be better off with no VAR, although they were mightily fortunate to get away with a late penalty decision against Wolves on the opening weekend. Supporters were aggrieved when VAR intervened to rule out Alejandro Garnacho's potential late winner at Arsenal, but the Gunners earlier had a penalty overturned after referee Anthony Taylor had a look at the pitchside monitor.
Those are the only four sides who'd have different tallies through four games. Many of the issues have surrounded red cards and VAR's lack of intervention regarding penalty decisions.
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This article was originally published on 90min as The 2023/24 Premier League table without VAR.
