**PGMOL Chief Howard Webb Backs VAR Decision to Disallow Van Dijk’s Goal Against Manchester City**
PGMOL chief Howard Webb has supported the VAR decision to disallow Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk’s goal during their match against Manchester City. Webb explained that Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view was obstructed by Andy Robertson, who deliberately ducked under the ball at a crucial moment.
Speaking on *Match Officials Mic’d Up*, Webb described the decision as subjective, noting that the officials believed Robertson’s movement affected Donnarumma’s ability to see and react to the ball despite Robertson being in an offside position.
“When Van Dijk heads the ball forward, that’s the moment when we have to make an offside judgment about Robertson and what he’s doing there,” Webb said. “We know he doesn’t touch the ball, but what does he do?”
“Well, as the ball moves towards him, three yards out from goal, right in the middle of the six-yard box, he makes that clear action to duck below the ball. The ball goes just over his head, and it finds the goal in the half of the six-yard box where he is. Then, the officials have to make a judgment — did that clear action impact Donnarumma, the goalkeeper, and his ability to save the ball? And that’s where subjectivity comes into play.”
Webb added that only Donnarumma would truly know whether Robertson’s movement affected him. “Only Donnarumma truly knows if he was impacted by this, and of course, we have to look at the factual evidence. When we see that evidence of the player ducking below the ball so close to the goalkeeper, VAR determines that the offside decision is not clearly and obviously wrong, and so they stay out of it.”
At the time of Van Dijk’s disallowed goal, Liverpool were trailing Manchester City 1-0. The goal was ruled out for offside, a decision that proved pivotal in the match.
**Manchester City Secure 3-0 Victory to Close Gap on Arsenal**
Manchester City went on to beat Liverpool 3-0 in the Premier League, tightening the race at the top of the table. Erling Haaland opened the scoring 13 minutes after having a penalty saved. Nico Gonzalez added a second goal before halftime.
Jeremy Doku sealed the win with a goal shortly after the hour mark, making it 3-0 for the visitors.
The win moved Manchester City within four points of Premier League leaders Arsenal. They now sit two points clear of third-placed Chelsea. Meanwhile, Liverpool have fallen behind in the title race—they currently occupy eighth place with 17 points, eight points adrift of Arsenal and one point behind fourth-placed Sunderland.
—
*Edited by Sripad*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-we-look-factual-evidence-pgmol-chief-explains-virgil-van-dijk-s-goal-manchester-city-disallowed