2025/26 Premier League Table Without ‘VAR Errors’

Remember a world when VAR (Video Assistant Referee) wasn’t available for referees in the Premier League? The game flowed and there was far less controversy surrounding the standard of officiating in England’s top flight – but that is no longer the case after the technology was unanimously voted for and, therefore, introduced in the 2019/20 season following a successful test in the campaign prior.

VAR was implemented as a means of giving referees an edge when identifying, and possibly correcting, “clear and obvious errors” in four key areas: goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.

A dedicated VAR figure has, since, monitored every single game in the Premier League – and, despite the constant murmurs over its effectiveness in England, there is little chance that league chiefs will be getting rid of it any time soon. So, as we settle into the 2025/26 campaign, which teams have benefitted the most from VAR errors? And which teams, in comparison, have suffered the most?

Using data from Squawka, who had their X (formerly Twitter) followers vote in polls, there have been a handful of Premier League clubs that were on the receiving end of what supporters felt were bad calls since the current season started. Let’s take a closer look at the winners and losers of errors which have been committed with the use of VAR, from 2025/26.

Relegation Zone

Wolverhampton Wanderers have benefited from one VAR-led error this term – Yerson Mosquera avoiding a red card in their 1-0 loss to Newcastle United – but, like the others in the relegation places this season, their standing (rock bottom of the top flight) would not have changed. They’d still be on two points from their duo of draws.

West Ham United, like Wolves, had the solitary VAR error go in their favour, but that has not resulted in their Premier League standings being affected. The aforementioned error refers to Tottenham Hotspur’s goal against the east Londoners being ruled out for a push on Kyle Walker-Peters from Micky van de Ven; a decision that left James Maddison furious.

Nottingham Forest have dropped into the relegation places after four losses in a row, and the Tricky Trees can’t even say that VAR has wronged them. Sean Dyche’s team have had no errors for or against, with there being no difference in points. The same can be said for Burnley, who have won two consecutive games to rise to 16th in the table — which is where they sit in the ‘no VAR’ table too.

In reality, the Clarets sit one place above Fulham, but in the amended league, it’s Leeds United who lie in 17th place. Daniel Farke’s team were awarded a penalty in gameweek one against Everton, which Squawka voters believe shouldn’t have been given. The Whites, consequently, would drop two places and swap with Fulham. The Cottagers have had three separate VAR errors go against them so far this season, including the decision to disallow Josh King’s goal in their 2-0 loss to Chelsea for a wrongly-accused challenge from Rodrigo Muniz on the half-way line, which has cost them two important points.

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Bottom Half

Without the errors from VAR this season, David Moyes’ Everton would still find themselves where they are presently – 14th. They’ve not had the rub of the green when it comes to video officiating, with two decisions going against them so far which officials got wrong in the eyes of fans. And while there would be no change in their league position, they would have an extra point on the board.

Brentford sit just above them in 13th place here, two positions further down the table than they presently find themselves in on one less point. That consequently sees Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United rise above the Bees.

While the Seagulls have had an error go for and against them in the opening nine matches, the Magpies have been much more unfortunate according to voters. Three decisions have gone against Eddie Howe’s squad so far, most notably when Nick Woltemade was denied a penalty in their goalless draw against Bournemouth, which cost them two points.

Top Half

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have seemingly overcome their early-season funk, winning four consecutive games on the spin to collect 15 points to date. That’s as many as they’ve won so far this term in reality, but the Villans would be two places worse off had supposed VAR errors not been made.

And it’s the same story for Liverpool. Arne Slot’s side are in a real rut presently, failing to win in four league matches on the spin, but the VAR error made against the current Premier League champions wouldn’t have impacted their point total. It’s Chelsea and Crystal Palace rising up which sees both Villa and the Reds drop down.

Enzo Maresca’s side have had three ‘errors’ go in their favour, the most out of any team, but the Blues should have one more point to their name, according to voters. However, the team impacted the most by VAR mistakes, at least based on position, are Oliver Glasner’s Eagles. With two errors erased, the Selhurst Park outfit would have two extra points, which would see them rise three places up the table into 7th.

Manchester United’s new-found form under Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, has seen them shoot up to sixth in recent weeks. Impressively, they’ve also managed that despite three alleged errors going against them, including the decision not to award Amad Diallo a penalty against Brighton. However, the Red Devils still trail behind rivals Manchester City, who have had one error go in their favour so far in 2025/26.

Top Four

Regis Le Bris-led Sunderland, in their first season back in England’s top flight, have enjoyed a fantastic start. Without VAR making the errors it has, the Black Cats would still be fourth in the table on the same points tally of 17.

Bournemouth have dealt with their abundance of key departures in the summer with grace and poise as they mount a serious charge to secure top four credentials. Andoni Iraola’s side have had two calls go in their favour, including the aforementioned decision on Woltemade’s penalty call, and changes to those ‘errors’ would see the Cherries drop one point and one position due to goal difference.

If VAR was not in place, Tottenham Hotspur would be bumped up one position to second in the league. Spurs had Cristian Romero’s opener against West Ham chalked off, while James Trafford could’ve counted himself lucky not to be sent off against City. Both games were, however, won by the north Londoners.

But it’s Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal who remain top of the league, albeit on two fewer points than they have in reality. William Saliba could’ve counted himself lucky to not give a penalty away on Matheus Cunha, during the Gunners’ season opener, a 1-0 win against Manchester United. Had the north London side dropped points in that game, then they wouldn’t have as much breathing space at the summit as they do right now.