The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system was being trialled in the Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion FA Cup tie at the weekend. It produced a certain amount of confusion, and delayed the action by several minutes.
Albion manager Alan Pardew stated that the delays played a significant part in two of his players, Hal Robson-Kanu and Kieran Gibbs suffering muscle injuries. VAR was used to award a penalty to Liverpool after a foul on Mo Salah, while a headed goal from Albion’s Crag Dawson was also disallowed after checking with the new system.
League Two outfit Newport County came within nine minutes or so of producing the shock of the round. A Padraig Amond goal in the 38th minute of their contest with Tottenham Hotspur was only cancelled out by a Harry Kane effort nine minutes from the end. County are off to Wembley for the replay.
League One Wigan’s 2-0 win over Premier League West Ham was probably the shock of the round. Northern Ireland international Will Grigg was key to the Latics’ victory, bagging a brace of goals. The first of his goals was a first half header, before he converted a second-half penalty to make certain of the victory.
Leicester boss Claude Puel received some criticism in the lead-up to this game, after he made 10 changes to his team for this fixture. Paul Merson branded the Frenchman “an absolute joke”, with the implication being that Puel was disrespecting the FA Cup. His selection policy was vindicated with a 5-1 win, though. Debutant Diabete grabbed two goals too.
League Two Coventry City knocked MK Dons from League One out in an exciting game in Milton Keynes. Thousands of Cov fans made the trip down south, giving the tie a home ground feel for the visitors. The fans were rewarded for making the trip with a fine victory to celebrate.
