Official Premier League account explains why Man City winner was allowed to stand after VAR review

The Premier League's Match Centre have explained the reason why Manchester City’s last-gasp goal at Wolves stood after initially being ruled out.

John Stones headed past Jose Sa in the 95th minute to the delight of the travelling City fans at Molineux.

He ran away in celebration before seeing his goal initially ruled out as Bernardo Silva was deemed offside for standing in the ‘view’ of goalkeeper Sa.

However, Chris Kavanagh was then sent to the monitor before overturning the original offside decision meaning City’s goal stood handing them a 2-1 win.

The official Premier League Match Centre’s X account issued an explanation shortly after full-time.

“[John] Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision,” they explained via X.

“The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned his original decision, and a goal was awarded.”

#WOLMCI – 95’ VAR OVERTURN

Stones’ goal was disallowed on-field due to Bernardo Silva being in an offside position and in the goalkeeper’s line of vision. The VAR deemed Bernardo Silva wasn’t in the line of vision and had no impact on the goalkeeper and recommended an on-field… pic.twitter.com/4o1AHBWyzb

— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) October 20, 2024

The official FA rules state:

• a player moving from, or standing in, an offside position is in the way of an opponent and interferes with the movement of the opponent towards the ball this is an offside offence if it impacts on the ability of the opponent to play or challenge for the ball; if the player moves into the way of an opponent and impedes the opponent's progress (e.g blocks the opponent) the offence should be penalised under Law 12

• a player in an offside position is moving towards the ball with the intention of playing the ball and is fouled before playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the foul is penalised as it has occurred before the offside offence

• an offence is committed against a player in an offside position who is already playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the offside offence is penalised as it has occurred before the foul challenge