VAR has once again taken centre stage after a highly controversial round of Premier League fixtures which saw three goals harshly ruled out.

The first came at Craven Cottage in the clash between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. On-loan striker Josh Maja thought he had netted an equaliser for the home side, only for the cameras to spot a handball by Mario Lemina in the build-up. The game ended 1-0 to Spurs.

Even though Lemina’s arms were quite clearly by his side, the goal was chalked off. The handball law states that intent doesn’t matter if a handball leads to a goal – a frankly ridiculous rule.

Lemina has the ball booted at him and his arms are down by his side, I’m genuinely baffled how they’ve disallowed it. Premier League referees really do have a concerning lack of common sense. pic.twitter.com/CyVcK00Tp7

— James. (@afcjxmes) March 4, 2021

You can’t continue to have a situation where it’s handball at one end of the pitch but not the other. The Lemina one for Fulham would not have been given in his own area.

— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) March 4, 2021

The ball is blasted onto Lemina's the arm to set-up Maja. It's the rules, but doesn't make it any less ridiculous.

— Peter Rutzler (@peterrutzler) March 4, 2021

Mario Lemina turning up to training tomorrow to be fit for the FA Handball rule #FFC pic.twitter.com/t4oOX1bml4

— Yevrah (@ffcyevrah) March 4, 2021

The second major VAR incident came towards the end of West Bromwich Albion’s fixture against Everton.

The Toffees led at the Hawthorns through Richarlison’s 65th-minute goal and looked to be holding on for three points. However, they suffered a scare when Mbaye Diagne appeared to net an equaliser, only for the flag to go up.

Some angles suggested that the Senegalese forward had stayed onside, but VAR confirmed that he was narrowly off. The game finished 1-0 to Everton.

This was the least controversial of the three incidents. After all, it was just offside. Also, the goal still wouldn’t have stood without VAR. Nonetheless, it will still be frustrating to Baggies fans to see their late equaliser ruled out by the finest of margins.

I'd love to see more angles on the Diagne offside – I'm adamant it was on

— Andy McAvoy