Luckiest and unluckiest clubs revealed in new 'VAR Table' which completely changes Premier League standings
The 'VAR table' has revealed that two Premier League sides are the 'luckiest' and 'unluckiest' in England. The 'VAR table' uses rulings from the Key Match Incidents Panel, made between Gameweeks 1 and 7, that dissect major Premier League decisions.
The KMI Panel, which consists of five individuals that are selected on a rotational basis, was created in 2022 and convenes each week to look at key English top-flight incidents. READ NEXT: Arsene Wenger now looks like a genius after what he said about Man City cheating 15 years ago How does the 'VAR table' work?
The KMI Panel analyses each major decision by reviewing the actions of the referee, then the VAR. Its members consist of three former players or coaches, and a representative from both the Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref) and the Premier League.
Advert Results from the KMI Panel are made publicly accessible one week after the conclusion of each meeting, and 10 days after the Gameweek in question. As it stands, Manchester City, Arsenal, Brighton and Chelsea make up the Premier League table's top four, in the order of reading.
Enzo Maresca's men boast a 100% win rate, having taken 21 points from seven matches, and have cushioned themselves three points above reigning Premier League champions Arsenal. But how would the Premier League standings look if referee and VAR errors didn't exist?
Thirteen teams in the 'VAR table' would remain in identical positions to those they assume in the actual Premier League standings, however, that does not mean their points totals are unaffected. Manchester City would maintain their English top-flight perch, but the KMI Panel's ruling that Erling Haaland's match-winning strike versus Manchester United was incorrectly awarded means that the Cityzens would beon 19 points, not 21, and without their seven-in-seven start.
As a result, their goal difference would also decrease from +12 to +11, and put Arsenal just one point behind in the Premier League table's second position. Brentford are also 'VAR table' beneficiaries,jumping from sixth to fifth.
A KMI Panel ruling felt that the referee should have intervened and awarded the Bees a penalty in their 1-1 draw versus Leeds. While it remains unclear whether Brentford would have converted that penalty into a match-winning goal, failure from the referee and VAR working in combination is reflected in the hypothetical table.
Liverpool wouldjump from fifth to fourth, benefitting from a KMI Panel ruling of three to two in favour of Nottingham Forest being incorrectly awarded a penalty during a 2-2 Anfield draw. As a result, the Reds would have prevailed 2-1, gaining two points and leapfrogging Chelsea.