Let me just get this out of the way first: I love the VAR. I think video replay is a necessary addition to soccer and greatly improves the accuracy of match-changing calls. But that Harry Kane disallowed goal on Thursday was BS, even if the VAR technically got it right.
The moment in question came in the 33rd minute of Tottenham’s 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United. The Blades had gone ahead less than two minutes earlier through Sander Berge, but Spurs thought they had found a quickfire response.
Lucas Moura made a rampaging run toward the Sheffield box before falling to the ground. The ball was then cleared off Moura and bounced fortuitously to Kane. The England striker made a nice cut inside to evade one defender before pushing a shot past Dean Henderson in goal.
Tottenham celebrated. It looked like a clear goal. But the VAR still had its say.
After a lengthy review, it was determined the ball struck Moura’s arm in the buildup to the goal, thus negating the strike.
Watch for yourself to see if you can spot the infraction.
Harry Kane Disallowed Goal vs. Sheffield United
Eagle-eyed viewers will note Moura’s arm did touch the ball. By the letter of the law, a goal cannot be scored after a hand ball of any kind. Spurs fans will argue Moura was fouled by Berge to force the hand ball, but the rules don’t take that into consideration.
“Correct call, silly rule?” Rebecca Lowe queried her co-hosts on NBCSN at halftime, summing up the thoughts of many.
Whether or not it was technically the correct call, the decision is sure to make most every fan’s blood boil. Well, unless you’re a Sheffield United supporter or a bureaucrat.
The Harry Kane disallowed goal proved costly for Tottenham. Lys Mousset added a second goal in the 69th minute and Oliver McBurnie put things out of reach in the 84th minute. Harry Kane tapped in a consolation goal in the 90th minute of the 3-1 loss.
With the win, Sheffield jumped over Burnley, Spurs and Arsenal into seventh place while Tottenham missed an opportunity to make up ground on the top four.
Jose Mourinho was not pleased.
Here are the goal highlights from the match. The goals that actually counted.
Sheffield United vs. Tottenham Hotspurs Highlights
on top early! #MyPLSummer pic.twitter.com/YW4m2WfvSS
— #MyPLSummer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 2, 2020
Make it 2-0 for Sheffield! #MyPLSummer pic.twitter.com/bI1dW5iuLH
— #MyPLSummer (@NBCSportsSoccer) July 2, 2020
