Sean Dyche eager for VAR introduction after referee error costs Burnley points 

Burnley's Chris Wood scores past Watford's Ben Foster before the goal is subsequently disallowed for offside
Burnley's Chris Wood scores past Watford's Ben Foster before the goal is subsequently disallowed for offside Credit: Action Images

On the day when Watford captain Troy Deeney called for more dialogue between players, managers and referees, Sean Dyche explained calmly why the introduction of VAR cannot come soon enough.

Burnley would be 14th, five points above the relegation zone, had referee Michael Oliver not incorrectly ruled out Chris Wood’s stoppage-time “goal” for offside. Replays showed Wood was onside when he pounced.

Oliver’s mistake cost them two points so they sit 16th, just three points ahead of Cardiff in the relegation zone. “I thought it was onside and was surprised it was not given,” said Burnley manager Dyche. “Apart from that, I thought the officials were very good.”

VAR will be introduced in the Premier League next season and Dyche said: “People who oppose it say ‘what about the maybes?’ but there will still be close calls. What I am after is to get as close to 100 per cent [correct decisions] as you can. VAR must help, it can’t not help.

“Those two points would have been very welcome today but a big decision has gone against us.”

Burnley's Ashley Westwood competing with Watford's Troy Deeney during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Burnley FC
Troy Deeney tried to let his football do the talking after previously getting fined for comments about officiating

Deeney was fined £20,000 by the Football Association last week for comments about the officials after Watford’s draw at Bournemouth but he stressed in his programme notes on Saturday that he was trying to be even-handed. “I meant no disrespect to the ref and was clear that I felt we should have been worse off for some decisions, not just the other team,” he wrote.

“It would be great if there were more opportunities for players and officials to join managers in giving a thorough review of what happened without the threat of being castigated for saying something that they believe in, or might go against the accepted norm.”

Deeney was closest to scoring for Watford, but Tom Heaton made several fine saves.

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