PREMIER LEAGUE refs’ chiefs have backed EVERY key decision made in Arsenal’s controversial 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.
United manager Erik ten Hag was fuming after his side’s second North London defeat of the season, while Arsenal fans believed they were robbed of a second half penalty.
But Taylor’s final calls – which saw him overturn his initial decision to award the Gunners a spot-kick – have been endorsed by PGMOL.
The first controversy came when Havertz went down after darting between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro.
Taylor blew swiftly and pointed to the spot, only for the Wythenshawe-based official to change his mind after being sent to the pitch-side screen for an Off Field Review.
Arsenal fans pointed to the contact between Havertz and Wan-Bissaka to argue that the original call could not have been a “clear and obvious error” – drawing parallels with the match-winning spot kick won by Marcus Rashford for United against Nottingham Forest the previous week.
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But Aussie VAR Jarred Gillett recommended a review after Taylor told him he had given the offence for a trip by the United defender, clipping Havertz’ left heel.
The video of the incident showed clear distance between Wan-Bissaka’s foot and the Arsenal man, who was then felt to have inadvertently instigated the subsequent contact by moving his left leg off a straight line – as Taylor agreed when he took his second look at the clash.
Ten Hag’s complaints about the three calls he disputed are understood to have been dismissed by PGMOL, who backed Taylor and the VAR.
Despite the Dutchman’s whinge about the “camera angle” of the offside call which ruled out Alejandro Garnacho’s late goal in normal time, all lines are calibrated accurately and it means the Argentine was at least eight inches offside.
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Likewise, Taylor is felt to have rightly seen no foul when new United striker Rasmus Hojlund tussled with home defender Gabriel before hitting the deck in the Arsenal box.
And while ten Hag argued that Jonny Evans had been fouled by Gabriel before Declan Rice fired home the critical injury-time second Arsenal goal, that view was rejected with PGMOL agreeing that it was normal in-box contact and that Evans was as much the aggressor as the Brazilian.
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