The Premier League has clarified the rationale behind disallowing Eberechi Eze’s goal against Manchester City, marking the first in-league application of semi-automated offside technology. The Crystal Palace forward was on the brink of giving his team a sensational 3-0 lead in the opening half when the incident occurred.
Eze, having already notched a goal earlier, seized Ismaila Sarr’s pass, weaved inward, and dispatched the ball into the far corner, only to have his jubilation abruptly halted by an offside ruling.
Although it was a remarkably tight decision, the clarity provided by the new tech was rapid. This weekend witnessed the debut of semi-automated offsides in the Premier League.
Where previously VAR officials might have spent minutes reviewing manually, the new system resolved any ambiguity within moments. A statement shared via @PLMatchCentre on platform X confirmed: “The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR – with Eze in an offside position.”
In the pre-semi-automated era, VAR adjudicators had to pinpoint a ‘kick point’ and tediously draw lines by hand across the screen for both defender and attacker. The fresh technology proposes the ball’s point of contact and draws lines automatically on the concerned players.
It carries the ‘semi-automated’ label because, despite the advancements, human verification remains essential to confirm the outcome generated by the system.
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The new system was initially tested at the 2021 Club World Cup and then further scrutinised at the 2022 World Cup. Other leagues, such as Serie A and La Liga, were quick to adopt the technology. Liverpool has already had a taste of its use in the Champions League.
Eze’s goal could have given Palace a three-goal lead against City in an electrifying first half. The England international broke the deadlock in the eighth minute. Defender Chris Richards doubled the lead 13 minutes later, capitalising on a blunder by goalkeeper Ederson.
However, Eze’s disallowed goal seemed to galvanise City, who quickly levelled the score through Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick. The Belgian, who also rattled the post with a powerful strike in the first half, was playing his first match since announcing his departure from the club after a decade-long stint at the end of the season. Omar Marmoush then found the back of the net to set the stage for a thrilling second half.
