How the 2025/26 Premier League table would look without VAR errors

October 11, 2025 Kris Isaksen

VAR continues to spark controversy in the Premier League, and the 2025/26 season is no exception. Thanks to a breakdown of VAR-related decisions, we now have a look at how the table would shape up if those controversial calls had never happened.

20. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 2 points (no change)

Wolves remain rock bottom even without VAR errors, with just two points to their name. The only incident in their favor was Yerson Mosquera avoiding a red card against Newcastle, but it made no difference to their league position.

19. West Ham United – 4 points (no change)

A disallowed goal for Spurs in their clash with West Ham was a rare VAR call that helped the Hammers. Still, the point swing wasn’t enough to change their standing in the table.

18. Burnley – 4 points (no change)

Despite some VAR involvement, Burnley’s fate remains unchanged. Their position in the relegation zone is solidified regardless of technology errors.

17. Nottingham Forest – 5 points (no change)

VAR hasn’t had much say in Forest’s campaign so far. The East Midlands side stays 17th, with no points gained or lost from the controversial tech.

16. Leeds United – 6 points (-1 place)

Daniel Farke’s side would drop a spot without VAR helping them this season. They've benefited from calls like a penalty against Everton, which gave them a vital win.

15. Brentford – 6 points (+1 place)

Brentford climb one position thanks to VAR working against Leeds. Under rookie boss Keith Andrews, even small boosts like this could be crucial in the relegation fight.

14. Aston Villa – 9 points (-1 place)

Unai Emery’s Villa drop a place without VAR, despite having two favorable decisions and none against. Their overall point tally remains the same, but other clubs leapfrog them.

13. Brighton & Hove Albion – 9 points (-1 place)

Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton would also slip one spot in a table without VAR. The youngest manager in Premier League history hasn’t seen much luck from officiating this term.

12. Manchester United – 10 points (-2 places)

United are one of the biggest losers in this alternative table. A lack of punishment for a last-man foul on Bryan Mbeumo is just one of several decisions that cost them points.

11. Fulham – 10 points (+3 places)

Marco Silva’s side benefit the most in the bottom half, jumping from 14th to 11th. The disallowed goal versus Chelsea stands out as a moment that unfairly swung the game.

10. Sunderland – 11 points (-1 place)

Sunderland FC — Art-Dolgov / Shutterstock.com

Newly promoted Sunderland are quietly steady under Regis Le Bris. A VAR-less season would see them fall one position, but keep the same points.

9. Newcastle United – 11 points (+2 places)

Nick Woltemade’s denied penalty against Bournemouth was one of the more blatant missed calls. Without VAR errors, Newcastle climb two spots and recover two points.

8. Chelsea – 12 points (-1 place)

Despite being one of the most VAR-aided teams this season, Chelsea would drop one place without those boosts. Three favorable calls have kept Enzo Maresca’s men comfortably in the top half.

7. Everton – 12 points (+1 place)

Everton have shown early promise, and without VAR setbacks, they'd be even better off. James Tarkowski’s late penalty incident against Leeds denied them a valuable point.

6. Bournemouth – 13 points (-2 places)

AFC Bournemouth — Selman GEDIK / Shutterstock.com

Bournemouth’s strong start has been helped by VAR, notably in the Newcastle match. Strip away those calls and they’d find themselves slipping to sixth.

5. Manchester City – 13 points (no change)

City's position doesn’t change, but VAR has still played a role. While others around them shift, their consistency keeps them fifth with or without technology.

4. Crystal Palace – 14 points (+2 places)

crystal palce — Selman GEDIK / Shutterstock.com

Oliver Glasner’s Palace would shoot into the top four without VAR errors. With two costly decisions going against them, they’d be two points better off and overtaking City.

3. Arsenal – 14 points (-2 places)

Arsenal are the biggest beneficiaries of VAR this season. Remove the controversial calls and they fall six places—from second to eighth—making it clear just how much they’ve relied on key moments.

2. Tottenham Hotspur – 14 points (+1 place)

Now managed by Thomas Frank, Spurs would be a place higher in a VAR-less world. Despite decisions like Cristian Romero’s chalked-off goal, they’ve still managed to secure wins.

1. Liverpool – 15 points (+1 place)

Liverpool FC — Photo: Milosz Kubiak / Shutterstock.com

Without VAR, Liverpool would be leading the league. Arne Slot’s men have had one major decision go for them and one against, but a world without VAR tips the balance in their favor.