‘A good intervention’: PGMOL chief finally explain why controversial Leicester city goal ‘rightly’ stood vs crystal palace

Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League saw the return of VAR after a season without technology in the Championship.

   Steve Cooper was disappointed as Leicester City drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace, having taken a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi.

   What made it even more agonizing was that Palace’s first goal was originally ruled offside before VAR intervened and overturned the decision;    judges that Jean-Philippe Mateta is actually in place despite seemingly incomplete evidence.

   Although VAR worked against Leicester at Selhurst Park, it has benefited them this season as Wout Faes saw his goal disallowed against Fulham, although the Foxes lost that game 2-1.

   Howard Webb explains why Wout Fae scored Leicester City’s goal

   Fae headed Facundo Buonanotte’s shot straight into the net after a corner without anyone else touching the ball, but was first sent off as Vardy was adjudged to have tackled Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno offside.

   After a VAR review, the decision was overturned on the pitch and Leicester were then awarded the equalizer.

   Former referee Howard Webb is now head of PGMOL and went on Mic’d Up on Sky Sports to discuss a number of recent Premier League disputes.

   Speaking to Michael Owen about Fae’s goal, Webb explained why the officials ultimately got the right decision at Craven Cottage, saying: “The referee’s call in this case was offside. They penalized Jamie Vardy and that was clearly wrong and VAR  he was right to intervene.

   “And the reason it was wrong is because actually when Faes sent the ball towards the goal, that’s the moment we judge offside and at that moment Jamie Vardy moved away from the keeper.

   “[He’s] out of sight, out of physical contact and whatever happened before is irrelevant as far as offside is concerned.”

   Webb added: “There’s a bit of contact there [before Faes’ header] but not enough for a real offence.

   “It goes away from the keeper. The keeper can see the ball, he can see Faes coming to the ball with his head, Vardy is out of the way at that point and it’s just not an offside offence, so it was a good intervention.”

   Set-ups could prove crucial for Leicester City this season

   That Faes header was Leicester’s only set-piece goal so far in the league this campaign, but could prove to be a vital weapon in Steve Cooper’s arsenal if he wants to keep the Foxes in the Premier League.

   With chances at a premium in the Premier League, Leicester need to find a way to maximize their scoring chances and the goal against Fulham showed that there is certainly potential to do so.

   Faes, Caleb Okoli and Wilfred Ndidi are the main aerial threats and Cooper should use them.

   The disallowed goal against Fulham also shows that Vardy can continue to be a danger to opposition goalkeepers as long as he gets out of their line of sight before making contact with his Leicester team-mate.