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 three VAR-led errors this term, but their standing (rock bottom of the top flight) would not have changed. They’d still be on two points from their 16 matches, giving the Old Gold very little hope of anything reversing their early damage.

Scott Parker’s Burnley have had one mistake go against them this term, although it wouldn’t have any impact on their 19th-placed position in the Premier League. Like Wolves, the Clarets would still be in big trouble if the technology didn’t exist.

However, in 18th place we have Leeds United, who drop down a place and lose two points. The error in favour of Daniel Farke’s side keeps them above the relegation zone in reality.

West Ham United have picked up important points in recent weeks, but the Hammers still aren’t where they should be in the table, as they are actually in the drop zone. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest would be in the same place without VAR errors. ​​Brentford, likewise, would still be 15th.

Bottom Half

Bournemouth are one of the bigger beneficiaries of VAR mistakes this term. The Cherries have had three decisions go in their favour, with none against. This means Andoni Iraola’s side should actually be 14th, not 13th.

On the other hand, Fulham should be one place better off and in 13th, as the Cottagers should seemingly have two additional points to their name after 16 games. Marco Silva’s team have had one error in their favour, but an incredible three mistakes go against them, 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.

Brighton & Hove Albion have had three errors go for them and one against them so far this season — and the Seagulls have benifitted by gaining a couple of places to sit in the top half, when they should really be 12th.

Without the errors from VAR this season, Newcastle United would be slightly better off, as the Magpies would land in 11th. Eddie Howe’s side haven’t managed to put a consistent run of form together. To make matters worse, they’ve had three VAR errors go against them so far, most notably when Nick Woltemade was denied a penalty in their goalless draw against Bournemouth, which cost them two points.

Top Half

Everton and Tottenham would both be on 24 points without VAR errors, meaning David Moyes’ side would move up a place, while Spurs would actually leapfrog them into 9th position.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have been in a real rut this season. That being said, the Reds have had five VAR errors go against them, more than any other team, according to fans. The most egregious arguably came against City, when Virgil van Dijk saw an equaliser chalked off for offside. They would still drop to 8th position without the technology.

Manchester United’s slightly improved form under Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, has seen them move into the top half in recent weeks. Impressively, they’ve also managed that despite five alleged errors going against them, including the decision not to award Amad Diallo a penalty against Brighton. Those decisions would only slightly impact their league position but not their points tally.

Regis Le Bris-led Sunderland, in their first season back in England’s top flight, have enjoyed a fantastic start. But without VAR errors against them, the Black Cats would be in the top six — as they would have two extra points had the decision to award them a penalty against Everton been given.

Crystal Palace can feel hard done by so far this term. While the Eagles have had one wrong VAR call go in their favour, the decision to rule Eberechi Eze’s goal out against Chelsea all the way back in gameweek one cost them a precious two points. A win at Stamford Bridge and another point instead of a defeat elsewhere would have them only six points off the top.

Top Four

Chelsea have had plenty of good fortune so far in 2025/26 — Eze’s disallowed goal when they faced Palace is just one of three calls that have benefitted them. But without VAR, Enzo Maresca’s side would have an extra point to their name, meaning they would be closer to their title rivals.

While Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have overcome their early-season funk, three mistakes going in their favour, according to fans, have done them a world of good. There’s no actual change in their points tally, the Villans would be a lot closer to the league leaders without VAR errors.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal would not be top of the league without VAR errors, as the Gunners would have two fewer points than they have in reality. William Saliba could’ve counted himself lucky not to 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 would be level on points with the Citizens.

That means Manchester City should narrowly lead them at the top of the table. Pep Guardiola’s men would have the same points tally as the north Londoners, but only narrowly overtake them.