AliousRefereeing decisions were the least of Nottingham Forest fans’ concerns on Saturday following their sensational 7-0 thrashing of Brighton. However, football pundit Richard Keys couldn’t overlook a glaring VAR error that occurred during the match.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen jubilantly celebrating with the players after the emphatic Premier League victory, which now sees Forest level on points with Arsenal in the race for a Champions League spot. The win featured standout performances across the pitch—Chris Wood’s stunning hat-trick was rivaled by Anthony Elanga’s impressive trio of assists.
Elanga’s dazzling display sparked frustration among Manchester United fans, who watched their former player excel after being allowed to leave Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Forest supporters had every reason to feel elated. The only potential dampener was an injury scare for defender Murillo, who was subbed off during the game. Fortunately, he appeared to be moving freely during post-match celebrations in the dressing room, easing fans’ worries.
While Forest basked in their triumph, pundits like Richard Keys focused on VAR controversies. **Keys Calls Out VAR Over Chris Wood’s Goal**
The third goal, arguably the turning point in the game, saw Chris Wood head home from a pinpoint Elanga cross. However, celebrations were put on hold due to a prolonged VAR check for a possible offside. Despite clear replays showing Wood was comfortably onside, officials took several minutes to confirm the goal, baffling both fans and pundits alike.
Keys voiced his frustration on social media, posting an image of the VAR lines shown on TV with the caption: *“This isn’t even accurate. The line goes through Dunk’s boot. He’s even more ‘on’ than this.”* His comment highlighted concerns about the inconsistency and inefficiency of VAR decisions, even when outcomes appear obvious.
Although this VAR delay didn’t impact the final scoreline, it reignited discussions about the system’s flaws, especially given Forest’s turbulent history with VAR calls.
**Nottingham Forest’s Ongoing VAR Frustrations**
Forest’s tense relationship with VAR is well-documented. In their recent 3-2 win over Southampton, manager Nuno Espírito Santo was left fuming after two questionable decisions went unpunished. Southampton’s Flynn Downes escaped a red card for two reckless challenges that VAR failed to review adequately, potentially making Forest’s victory more difficult than it needed to be.
Earlier in the season, Marinakis unleashed a scathing rant against VAR, questioning its effectiveness and arguing that it has done little to improve the fairness of the game. Perhaps the most notorious incident occurred during last season’s clash with Everton, where Forest controversially had three penalty claims dismissed. The club’s furious response led to a fine, reflecting their growing frustration with the technology.
On Saturday, Forest’s dominant performance against Brighton rendered VAR errors irrelevant. However, as Richard Keys highlighted, such mistakes could prove costly in tighter contests. For now, Forest fans will savor their historic win, but the lingering issues with VAR remain a sore point that could resurface when it matters most.
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