Premier League replace VAR for Liverpool’s title showdown with Arsenal after incorrect intervention in Chelsea’s controversial win against Fulham

The change by refereeing body PGMOL came after Salisbury’s VAR intervention during Saturday’s west London derby between Chelsea and Fulham, which saw a goal for the latter disallowed at 0-0 midway through the first half. Chelsea eventually went on to win the game 2-0. Joshua King put the ball in the net for the Cottagers, but Salisbury flagged to on-field referee Robert Jones a potential foul in the build-up. The focus was on inconclusive or minimal contact between Rodrigo Muniz and Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah and the baffling decision was to disallow the goal. The Premier League’s official Match Centre account on X labelled it a “careless” challenge from Muniz, standing on the foot of Chalobah, in justification.