MX23RW : Sunday, January 5 09:44:44| >> :600:313982:313982:
Jan 1, 2020 at 3pm UK at ​Vicarage Road
Attendance: 20,584
Watford
2-1
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers
Deulofeu (30'), Doucoure (49')
Kabasele (71')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Neto (60')

Nuno Espirito Santo questions VAR use despite decision going in Wolves' favour

Nuno Espirito Santo questions VAR use despite decision going in Wolves' favour
© Reuters
Watford held on to win despite Christian Kabasele's dismissal.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is concerned by the reaction of fans to VAR decisions after Watford defender Christian Kabasele was sent off at Vicarage Road.

Kabasele's yellow card for barging over Diogo Jota in the 70th minute was upgraded upon review in the belief a clear goalscoring chance had been prevented by the foul as the Hornets ran out 2-1 winners in the Premier League.

Although Wolves benefited from the decision, Nuno voiced his disquiet at the technology three days after two controversial decisions contributed to his side's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool.

The Portuguese is particularly alarmed at the way supporters from both teams reacted angrily to VAR intervention.

"I haven't seen the images yet but from the pitch I think Diogo had a clear chance at goal. It was one v one against the goalie. The referee saw it one way, VAR saw it the other way," Nuno said.

"We have to get it clear for the game to flow and to have freedom of the ball. The Premier League is known for having good referees and good dynamism to the game and this is what we want.

"VAR should help the referee. The decisions referees make we should trust. VAR is video assistant referee. The referee should decide. It should be clear and obvious.

"One of the things that disappoints me is when the crowd starts singing – this is a clear sign. The referee should improve, VAR should improve.

"We must get used to VAR but the fans are not liking it and this is what worries me most."

Watford boss Nigel Pearson refused to condemn VAR as his side survived a late siege to claim all three points to move within touching distance of escaping the relegation zone.

"I've not seen it yet but the players felt it was harsh because of the type of contact and the proximity of team-mates to deny a goalscoring opportunity," Pearson said.

"VAR is here and everybody will have had some difficult experiences with it and some experiences that will have gone their way.

"Technology is good for the sport but clearly this season there will be a few teething problems. It's still down to interpretation so there will always be a human element there.

"All sports that have introduced technology have had problems. Rugby has got it as close as possible to perfect because we can hear the discussion going on.

"Now that it's here we've got to run with it. It's disappointing to have a player sent off for the second home game on the trot. We'll deal with it."

Strikes in each half by Gerard Deulofeu and Abdoulaye Doucoure ensured Watford finished the festive period with 10 points from four games.

"There's a lot of hard work still to be done and we'd be foolish to think the job is over because it's far from over," Pearson said.

"But we've given ourselves more of a chance by getting back into contact with the pack."

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General view of Watford's Vicarage Road from April 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20191049143558
2Leicester CityLeicester21143446192745
3Manchester CityMan City21142556243244
4Chelsea2111373629736
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd218763225731
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs218673630630
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves217953027330
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd217862321229
9Crystal Palace217771923-428
10Arsenal216962830-227
11Everton2174102432-825
12Southampton2174102538-1325
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2174102033-1325
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton216692529-424
15Burnley2173112434-1024
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2064102532-722
17Aston Villa2163122737-1021
18Bournemouth2155112032-1220
19Watford2147101734-1719
20Norwich CityNorwich2135132241-1914

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