Home Football WSL talking points: time for VAR and Shaw masterclass sends City top

WSL talking points: time for VAR and Shaw masterclass sends City top

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The dramatic top-of-the table encounter between Arsenal and Chelsea was marred by poor officiating while Manchester City benefit from ‘mentality shift’

There were many interesting talking points from the dramatic stalemate between Arsenal and Chelsea – Alyssa Thompson’s stunning goal for the Blues, the impressive defensive performance of Lotte Wubben-Moy, the 56,537-strong crowd, Chelsea’s choice of a back four over a back five, Arsenal’s decision not to play with a natural No 6 – but, disappointingly, it is the quality of the officiating that has and will dominate. Both Renée Slegers and Sonia Bompastor said afterwards that they think the introduction of video assistant referees would be a positive step in helping eliminate the most obvious of errors, such as Blackstenius’s goal being ruled out for a nonexistent handball, and in assisting with the more marginal calls: whether Alessia Russo was offside for her goal or Frida Maanum was offside when her effort was ruled out.

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Continue reading…The dramatic top-of-the table encounter between Arsenal and Chelsea was marred by poor officiating while Manchester City benefit from ‘mentality shift’There were many interesting talking points from the dramatic stalemate between Arsenal and Chelsea – Alyssa Thompson’s stunning goal for the Blues, the impressive defensive performance of Lotte Wubben-Moy, the 56,537-strong crowd, Chelsea’s choice of a back four over a back five, Arsenal’s decision not to play with a natural No 6 – but, disappointingly, it is the quality of the officiating that has and will dominate. Both Renée Slegers and Sonia Bompastor said afterwards that they think the introduction of video assistant referees would be a positive step in helping eliminate the most obvious of errors, such as Blackstenius’s goal being ruled out for a nonexistent handball, and in assisting with the more marginal calls: whether Alessia Russo was offside for her goal or Frida Maanum was offside when her effort was ruled out.‘We need justice’: Slegers calls for VAR after officials deny ArsenalRusso earns draw with Chelsea but Arsenal rue decisionsWSL roundup: City go top, Liverpool and West Ham stay winless Continue reading…