Expect shots and controversy in the Wolves v Brighton VAR Derby
The match officials and those operating VAR had a bit of a conundrum going into Wolves v Brighton this weekend as the two teams most routinely screwed over by incompetence meet at Molineux. Whose afternoon are they going to ruin?
Brighton received apology after apology after apology last season from the PGMOL. It became so bad at one point that Howard Webb had to personally visit Roberto De Zerbi at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre to explain what was going on.
This was of course followed 48 hours later by another terrible refereeing performance when Fulham came to the Amex. De Zerbi ended up so frustrated as to receive a red card after the final whistle, before brandishing his meeting with Webb a total waste of time.
It did not take long into the 2023-24 season for the Albion to be on the end of a blatantly incorrect decision. Luton Town scored their consolation 81 minutes into the opening day of the campaign via a penalty which even Mike Dean on Sky Sports News felt said was harsh.
Thankfully for Brighton, they won 4-1 and so the incident had no bearing on the outcome. Unlike Wolves, who were denied a deserved point from Manchester United away on Monday night by a shocking piece of officiating resulting in the first PGMOL apology of the campaign.
United goalkeeper Andre Onana clumsily collided with Sasa Kalajdzic in the box with 96 minutes on the clock and the hosts leading only 1-0.
Referee Simon Hooper said no penalty, which was remarkable. Even more remarkable was VAR oferator Michael Salisbury agreeing despite the benefits of multiple replays and angles.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said afterwards: “Jon Moss (manager of the Premier League’s elite group of officials) said it was a blatant penalty and should have been given – fair play to him, he apologised.”
“I have spent a lot of time with him today to understand the new guidelines, trying not to get myself booked in the first game, which I have failed in.”
“But fair play to Jon for coming out and saying it was a clear and obvious error – he couldn’t believe the on-field referee didn’t give it and can’t believe VAR didn’t intervene.”
Like Brighton, Wolves also found themselves on the end of a series of baffling decisions last season. What made the Old Trafford incident worse than any of those was that the Old Gold had given a superb performance against United, worthy of at least a point.
That came as something of a surprise as it has not been an easy summer at Molineux. O’Neil only took over as manager five days before Wolves kicked off their campaign, replacing Julen Lopetegui who left after becoming frustrated by the club’s lack of spending.
Many have subsequently expected the Old Gold to struggle. That will not be the case if they play as well as they did against United, where O’Neil decided attack was the best form of defence.
They rained down 23 shots at Old Trafford, which was eight more than the hosts managed. Penalty incident aside, Onana was the best United player on the pitch thanks to a series of important saves.
When Brighton beat Luton Town 4-1 on Saturday, the Albion racked up 27 shots. Solly March revealed earlier in the week that De Zerbi has set his players a target of between 20 to 30 efforts on goal per game.
Molineux will be the scene of two sides committed to attacking football coming together. It promises to be an entertaining, enthralling 90 minutes… and that is before you even consider what surprises VAR has up its sleeve for two clubs it loves to stick the knife into.
There were plenty of goals when these sides met last season. Five at Wolves as Brighton won a crazy encounter on Bonfire Night 3-2 to give De Zerbi his first away win as Brighton boss.
VAR of course got involved, awarding the Old Gold a penalty for handball against Dunk which Gary Lineker described as ridiculous.
Six goal were then plundered at the Amex in April, all scored by the Albion in the biggest top flight victory in Seagulls history. Achieved with all of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo and Kaoru Mitoma resting on the bench.
Brighton have always enjoyed meetings with Wolves, of course. The Seagulls have been a bogey side for the Old Gold ever since the first league meeting between the clubs in 1979.
Wolves have tasted victory just six times in 38 encounters. Brighton have lost at Molineux once in their past nine visits.
If it was not for the archaic home-only pubs rule, the occasional outbreak of handbags and the crap lower tier section given to visiting fans, Wolves would be one of the best away days for Albion supporters.
This latest visit though looks like the toughest for many years. O’Neil takes charge at Molineux for the first time with Old Gold players and fans buoyed by what they saw against United.
We know the De Zerbi commitment to attacking football can leave gaps at the other end. Will Wolves with their new and equally positive approach be able to take advantage?
A prediction ahead of Wolves v Brighton? There were will be lots of shots, a fair few goals, some sort of refereeing controversy and enough entertainment to warrant being first on Match of the Day.
Apologies if it now ends up being a dull 0-0.
