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How the Premier League table would look if every ‘VAR error’ was removed

Published 12:28 29 Apr 2026 BST

Updated 12:33 29 Apr 2026 BST

Jacob Entwistle
How the Premier League table would look if every ‘VAR error’ was removed

Homesport

It's that time of the season again where you're wondering if you're better off or not without it..

Reflecting on your side's season, you can always turn to the trusty VAR for an underperforming campaign. Every side has their individual case at some point though, we've all had major decisions go against us, and when it boils down to fine margins for achieving glory or avoiding relegation, it hurts.

With four games to go, the title clash is still undecided, with Arsenal and Man City quite literally neck and neck - should the Citizens win their game in hand.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa look to have sealed the deal for Champions League football next campaign, though sixth place is still up for grabs. Remarkably, the promoted Sunderland in 12th may still have a shot at European football, trialing the current Europa League elect Brighton by only four points.

At the bottom of the table, Leeds United could be all-but-safe after playing the relegated Burnley at home, with European adventurers Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and 'Big 6' Spurs all fighting to avoid Championship football.

Anyway, aside from the objectivity of the league table, how would it look subjectively, if every 'VAR error' was removed? Let's take a look, using data from the brilliant Squawka.

The bottom three:

Sadly, nothing would save Wolves from the drop this season. The Old Gold have benefitted from three VAR errors over the campaign, but Rob Edwards' side would still be on 17 points from 34 matches.

Next come Scott Parker's Burnley. One VAR error has gone in their favour this season, whereas two have gone against them. The Clarets may remember vividly the 3-4 defeat at home to Brentford, in which Ashley Barnes' last gasp equaliser was wrongfully disallowed. Zian Flemming also made it 4-3, inspiring a terrific comeback, though that goal was disallowed by the technology too. A Premier League classic with VAR at the forefront. Regardless of the result outcome though that day, the Clarets would still be facing the drop.

Currently 18th in the league table is Tottenham Hotspur, rejuvenated by the recent appointment of Roberto De Zerbi and a win at Wolves. Spurs have been in the mix with VAR, having six mistakes go against them, with four errors go for them. This would give the North Londoners 39 points, going above West Ham United and level with Leeds United.

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Vitor Pereira's Nottingham Forest would be in 15th, with a considerable six additional points, a mass increase.

The rest of the bottom half:

Andoni Iraola's high-flying Bournemouth have benefitted the most from VAR decisions this campaign. Six decisions for, only one against. Currently sitting 7th in the table, the Cherries would actually fall to 13th, only above Newcastle United in 14th, who stay exactly where they are in the table.

Next up come Keith Andrew's European hopeful Bees, who would drop from 9th to 12th. Despite five calls going against them, three major calls going their way have significantly impacted their league position.

Lastly in the bottom half is Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace. With a very topsy-turvy season at times, the Eagles still voyage for Europa Conference League glory, taking on Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday night in a semifinal first leg. With one call for the South Londoners and five against, they would have an additional win on the board, moving up to 11th.

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The top half:

Regis Le Bris' Sunderland have taken the top-flight by storm. Comfortably surviving, making the Stadium of Light the old fortress once again, Granit Xhaka pulling the strings in the centre of the park like he never left the Prem, the Black Cats are back. Unfortunately for them though, two VAR errors have cost them two points, which would see the club move up to the top half of the table.

10th-placed Fulham were the subject of one of the most controversial VAR decisions of the season - disallowing Josh King's goal at Chelsea for an apparent foul by Rodrigo Muniz. Losing the match 2-0 eventually, the Cottagers would go up a place to 9th without the error.

In 8th without errors comes David Moyes' Everton, who have enjoyed a successful campaign. Four errors have gone against the Toffees, whilst two decisions have gone in their favour.

Next in the European spots is the currently manager-less Chelsea, who would be 7th. The Blues have had the most fortune in the division, with seven calls going for them. Despite this, the club would only be one place ahead of their current position of 8th.

Though involved in many VAR mix-ups, Brighton would still remain 6th. Five errors have gone for The Seagulls, with three against them.

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The Champions League spots:

Aston Villa have dropped from 3rd in the table to 5th as-of-late, though can't blame VAR for this. Five calls have gone for the Villains, with two against them. Unai Emery's side would be sitting on 56 points, four above Brighton with 52.

In 4th are Arne Slot's Liverpool. The Redmen would not move positions or points, remaining on 58. Despite being majorly penalised by VAR, with seven errors going against the club, they haven't significantly impacted the points tally.

Man United have allegedly had eight errors go against them, the most in the division. Despite this, the impressive Red Devils would remain 3rd, only with two points reduced on the board.

In 2nd would be, still, Pep Guardiola's Man City. However, there would only be a one-point swing between the Citizens with 70 and Mikel Arteta's Arsenal with 71, who have benefited by two points due to VAR errors.

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The full table without alleged VAR errors:

  • 1) Arsenal 71
  • 2) Man City 70
  • 3) Man United 63
  • 4) Liverpool 58
  • 5) Aston Villa 56
  • 6) Brighton 52
  • 7) Chelsea 49
  • 8) Everton 48
  • 9) Fulham 48
  • 10) Sunderland 48
  • 11) Crystal Palace 46
  • 12) Brentford 45
  • 13) Bournemouth 45
  • 14) Newcastle 45
  • 15) Forest 45
  • 16) Leeds 39
  • 17) Spurs 39
  • 18) West Ham 36
  • 19) Burnley 20
  • 20) Wolves 17


How the Premier League table would look if every 'VAR error' was removed