Media playback is not supported on this device VAR system a shambles - Shearer

The video assistant referee (VAR) trial in competitive English football has faced its first major controversy.

The decision not to overturn Willian's yellow card for diving and award a penalty to Chelsea in their FA Cup third-round replay against Norwich on Wednesday, led to Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer calling the system a "shambles".

Just 24 hours earlier, the first VAR goal had been awarded - when Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho's offside strike was overturned 67 seconds after originally being ruled out in their FA Cup win over Fleetwood. Then, the reaction was broadly positive.

What happened with the Willian incident?

The key is the phrase "clear and obvious error" - VAR is only used to overturn clear cut mistakes with goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identities.

Willian appeared to be caught in the area by Norwich defender Timm Klose. Referee Graham Scott booked the Brazilian for a dive - shown in the video above.

In a London studio, referee Mike Jones was in place as the VAR to study all the angles available to him - and decided there was no clear and obvious error made in turning the penalty down.

Had Jones felt there was one, he could have overturned the decision himself or asked Scott to study a pitch-side monitor and make the final decision.

Shearer said: "That's why it's all wrong. It's someone else's opinion. [Use VAR] for a matter of fact, not for opinions."

BBC Sport understands that Jones would have overturned the decision, or advised referee Graham Scott to look at the incident on the pitch-side monitor, had he seen the same super slow-motion angle that TV viewers saw - showing the contact.

For integrity purposes, the VAR does not see the broadcast output, or listen to commentary. It is understood Mike Jones viewed the incident 13 times, in both real time and slow motion, and was comfortable with the on-field decision, but did not view the super slow-motion option, which showed the contact.

So what have we learned?

Human error and subjectivity. Debate in football won't stop. With penalties in particular, it is still down to a referee's - and a VAR's - judgement.

Debate in football won't stop. With penalties in particular, it is still down to a referee's - and a VAR's - judgement. Replays. The VAR and referees are encouraged to watch replays in real-time - which is what Jones did on the Willian incident - but are permitted to use slow-motion should they wish, particularly with handball incidents.

The VAR and referees are encouraged to watch replays in real-time - which is what Jones did on the Willian incident - but are permitted to use slow-motion should they wish, particularly with handball incidents. Communication. Both referee and the VAR can start a conversation. It's not a constant dialogue during a game, but there are regular exchanges.

Both referee and the VAR can start a conversation. It's not a constant dialogue during a game, but there are regular exchanges. Crowds. There remain issues about showings fans in the stadium what is going on. For example, if the Willian 'dive' was overturned and a penalty awarded, it is not yet clear how a referee would communicate that his yellow card for diving had been rescinded.

So when is VAR used?

Media playback is not supported on this device Iheanacho scores first VAR goal in English football

The match was the fourth fixture in England in which the technology was tested and delivered the first moment of real controversy.

Here's the basic information.

Where a VAR review is used, it will normally be triggered during stoppages in play and limited to four types of match-changing incidents:

Goals

Penalties

Straight red cards

Mistaken identity

It should cut out mistakes, such as the incorrect flag raised following Iheanacho's finish in his side's 2-0 victory over Fleetwood.

How do we know it's being used?

There are three ways.

Referee Martin Atkinson signalled for the use of VAR in the Carabao Cup semi-final by putting his finger to his ear

A word in the earpiece

This was the process utilised by referee Jonathan Moss in Tuesday's FA Cup tie, where Iheanacho was awarded his goal after it had initially been ruled out.

Moss had also briefly spoken to the video official when Iheanacho had an earlier goal ruled out because the ball had crossed the byline before Demarai Gray crossed it and when when Leicester's Vicente Iborra was pulled back in the box, but they decided not to award a penalty.

During Brighton's FA Cup win over Crystal Palace on Monday, referee Andre Marriner and the VAR Neil Swarbrick actually consulted over 11 decisions, including Glenn Murray's winner. No errors were made so there was no need to stop the game and watch the footage.

This also happened on four occasions in Chelsea and Arsenal's 0-0 draw in Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

Referee Martin Atkinson paused the restart of play - finger to his ear - while listening to his VAR Swarbrick over two potential red card challenges and two Chelsea penalty claims, but he was satisfied enough with the evidence relayed to him not to award a spot-kick.

However, referees chief Mike Riley told BBC Radio 5 live that fans in the stadium may struggle to know what was going on and they will review how to communicate what is happening.

VAR decides

This could have happened when Willian went down under Klose's challenge but hasn't happened yet in any of the trial games. When an actual video review process is engaged, fans will see the referee 'draw' a rectangle with his arms to replicate a TV screen.

Either the referee or the VAR can decide whether an incident needs to be analysed.

If the decision is clear and a player has scored a goal from an offside position, for example, the VAR will inform the referee there has been an error which does not require further review. The referee will then make the 'TV screen' signal and change the original decision.

On-field review

We are still waiting for one of these.

As above, but in situations that are less clear, the VAR will advise the referee to look at the pitch-side monitor for what is called an 'on-field review'.

Following their review, the referee will make a 'TV screen' signal and communicate the final decision.

Fans in the stadium won't be able to view replay pictures, but supporters watching at home will see the same camera angles as the referees, so they should at least be able to get an idea of which way the decision is going.

When is it not used?

Second yellow cards

Referees cannot say "I'm not sure, I'll look at a replay" - they have to make a decision and if it's a clear and obvious error, they'll be told by the VAR

So what have we learned from the trials?

Media playback is not supported on this device Glenn Murray scores a late winner for Brighton

Some managers have been happy.

Leicester boss Claude Puel told BBC Radio 5 live after their win over Fleetwood: "The time was not so long to watch the video and take the decision. This evening I like the technology."

Palace manager Roy Hodgson praised the officials and the system after his side's defeat to Brighton.

But Antonio Conte called on referees to take more time in reaching their decision after the Willian controversy in his side's shootout win over Norwich.

"If we want to try to use this new system, it is important for the referee to wait, especially in this incident that is not so clear" said Conte.

BBC Radio 5 live pundit Phil Neville said he was "confused" by the incident, while Match of the Day analyst Alan Shearer said: "We all think it is a clear and obvious penalty - and to make it worse, the referee books Willian for diving. Shambles."

Players will still confront the referee, as Palace did at full-time in the game at the Amex Stadium. But they should beware - an over-exuberant demand for a VAR intervention will be met with the same punishment as waving the imaginary red card.

Managers that overstep the mark with VAR appeals on the touchline, or encroach on the area where the referee is reviewing footage, will be sent off.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has expressed his "anxiety" with the amount of time taken to arrive at decisions, while Conte also thinks more added time in games will be necessary.

He said: "When you start to use VAR, you then need to add more extra time. When there are doubts about two situations in the game, then the extra time is seven, eight or nine minutes."

What's next?

Andre Marriner explains his reasoning to the Palace players after Glenn Murray's winner

VAR can only be used at Premier League stadiums where there is a direct link back to the Premier League studios west of London - where the VAR has access to between 12 and 15 camera angles, including four cameras in each goal.

It will be used in the return leg of Chelsea v Arsenal and implemented in every round of the FA Cup and some further replays, based on broadcaster TV picks and whether the host for each tie is in the Premier League.

The VAR looked to see whether Victor Moses had fouled Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the Carabao Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Arsenal, but the officials decided to not award a penalty

How often will it be used?

It only took 40 minutes of Serie A's opening game for VAR technology to be used for the first time when it was introduced at the start of this season in Italy.

But since then it has settled down and is now generally used about once in three or four matches, according to former referee David Elleray, the head of refereeing for International Football Association Board.

The technology has also been used in Germany's Bundesliga and in MLS in the United States, and was also available for England's two goalless friendlies with Germany and Brazil last November, which passed without incident.

Catch me up hide

Has there been opposition to VAR?

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has expressed concern over delays caused by VAR referrals, complaining the game was "turning into baseball".

Fleetwood boss Uwe Rosler is from Germany, whose top flight have used VAR all season. He said: "In general in Germany there is split opinions as it's been tried this season. For me, some situations you can't be 100% on VAR - is the decision right or wrong?

"My opinion is don't complicate the game - it's beautiful as it is. People try to make it different for some reason. I don't like it, it interrupts the flow. Today we were on the wrong side but in general I don't like it."

According to German magazine Kicker, 47% of players wanted to abolish VAR in the Bundesliga.

As for those claiming it hands an unfair advantage to teams who benefit from its use, the Football Association says it is a level playing field for both teams, whether the technology is available or not, and point to the fact that a VAR review is not often used.</s>VAR will be used in Brighton vs Crystal Palace

Brighton and Crystal Palace face off in the FA Cup third round tonight.

A video assistant referee system will be in place at the Amex Stadium to help with the ref.

This is the first time VAR will be used in a professional game in England.

Brighton and Palace kick off at 7.45pm.

But what is VAR? And why has it proved such a controversial addition to the game? Here, Express Sports takes a look at VAR technology.</s>Substitute Glenn Murray grabbed Brighton and Hove Albion a 2-1 FA Cup third-round victory over rivals Crystal Palace on Monday as video technology made its bow in England. It was the first time the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system had been used in English football for a one-off trial, but was never needed to overturn any decision by referee Andre Marriner at the Amex Stadium.

There was some confusion over the winning goal in the 87th minute, though, as former Palace striker Murray bundled in the winner with his knee following a free-kick to score his seventh goal this term.

Palace players protested to the officials after the game that the ball had touched Murray's arm after his knee, but replays suggested the right decision had been made.

Earlier, midfielder Dale Stephens gave the hosts a 25th-minute lead by rifling a shot through Wayne Hennessey at the Palace goalkeeper's near post.

Mali forward Bakary Sako, making just his fourth start of the season, hammered home a brilliant equaliser for Palace midway through the second period from long range to cap an excellent individual display.

But Murray came off the bench to take Brighton through, and they will travel to Championship side Middlesbrough in the fourth round at the end of January.</s>After 18 months of planning for the implementation of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology, the system is going live on Monday for the first time in English soccer.

VAR will be used in the third round FA Cup match between Brighton and Crystal Palace. It will also be used when Arsenal plays Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

The referee in charge of the FA Cup game is Andre Marriner while another veteran official Neil Swarbrick will be situated offsite but he will have direct contact with the man in the middle.

When a VAR review is needed the referee, Andre Marriner, in this case, will be the only person allowed access to a viewing area located between the team benches and he will indicate a review by “miming” a square to the spectators and TV audience.

Any manager caught “sneaking a peek” can be sent to the stand to watch the remainder of the game.

In the lead up to the game on Monday representatives of the Game Day Officials have been at pains to clarify the type of incidents that will be up for review.

When the trial of VAR was authorized in the summer of 2016 by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) the lawmaking body for soccer stipulated four types of calls that would be open to VAR review.
• Goals and any violation during the build-up
• Red card decisions (but second yellow cards are not reviewable)
• Mistaken identity in the case of a red or yellow card

Further, to be overturned the referee’s original decision must be a “clear error.”

It has been made clear that the objective is not to get every decision during a game correct – so much of the game is contextual and subjective and hundreds of decisions are made by an official during a match.

What we often fail to acknowledge is the majority of decisions made by officials are to “play on.”

The imminent introduction of VAR has not been helped by a number of TV commentators and the written press.

It has become common practice for a commentator to make mention every time something controversial happens in a Premier League game that under VAR it would surely be reviewed and the correct decision made.

This is simply not the case. The restrictions as to use of VAR are still the same as when the IFAB announced the trial and even then the use of VAR and the overturning decisions are to be based upon mistakes that are clear and obvious.

VAR has already been trialed in Australia, Germany, Italy and the United States, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup and the Confederations Cup but it has not been a smooth road by any means. On the other hand when VAR has not been available and "errors" made the call has been for broader implementation.

The inconsistency of application in some trials led to confusion and complaints in these countries. In Germany, officials extended the criteria without authority and never told the clubs or players. This led to a senior official being fired.

One other interesting thing to watch for on Monday when Crystal Palace plays Brighton is players attempting to influence the officials and encouraging them to undertake a review using VAR.

Just like a player deemed guilty of trying to get a referee to caution or send off a player, any player doing the same in relation to use of a VAR replay could be the one picking up a yellow card.

No doubt, if it happens, we will get told that the player is being yellow carded for waving an imaginary monitor.</s>Roy Hodgson was left fuming after video replays could not stop Crystal Palace being dumped out of the FA Cup.

Former Palace striker Glenn Murray got a last-gasp winner for Brighton – and from the sidelines it looked as if he used an arm to push the ball into the net.

Palace boss Hodgson complained bitterly to referee Andre Marriner and fourth official Graham Scott but the video assistant referee (VAR) gave the 87th minute winner the all-clear.

VAR Neil Swarbrick, watching from a TV studio, checked it and insisted the goal was onside and came off Murray’s knee.

It clearly showed that even video technology will not keep everyone happy.

Brighton missed a hatful of chances, Palace striker Bakary Sako got a wonder goal of an equaliser and yet Chris Hughton’s won football’s most unlikely local derby.

A local derby which is, in fact, 46 miles apart from Selhurst Park to the AmEx Stadium and even the most loyal supporters of both clubs struggle to remember what started it all.

Brighton made eight changes as Chris Hughton clearly feels Premier League survival is more important than the FA Cup.

Hughton’s plans nearly went wrong after just six minutes when Izzy Brown - who had his 21st birthday on Sunday - hobbled off having injured himself in a fierce 50-50 tackle with Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp.

Remarkably, Schlupp then hobbled off after 13 minutes, still feeling the effects of his tackle with Brown. Two players injured from a perfectly fair but full bloodied tackle, the two managers must have been cursing their bad luck.

Brighton were the better team early on and went ahead after 25 minutes when Ezequiel Schelotto did well on the right, fed Stephens and the Brighton captain broke into the box and then blasted a shot past Hennessey.

Hennessey should have kept it out, no matter how hard Stephens hit his shot. Maybe that reminded us why Palace boss Hodgson is keen to bring in another keeper in January.

Schelotto nearly created another after 40 minutes, his cross nearly turned in by Solly March but this time Hennessey was alert at his near post.

But just when you thought Brighton were on their way into the fourth round, back came Palace with an absolute wonder goal after 69 minutes.

Sako got the ball 30 yards out, ran towards goal and then unleashed an unstoppable drive from just outside of the box and the ball smashed in off the inside of the post.

Brighton substitute Sam Baldock missed two gilt edged chances and hit the post while Timer Hemed and Beram Kayal also wasted a great chance.

It looked to be heading for frustration until the last gasp winner as Brighton’s Uwe Huenemeier headed on, Murray raced in and bundled over the line to have the final say.</s>(CNN) English club football experienced a landmark moment on Monday night when a video assistant referee (VAR) was used for the first time in a competitive club match.

The FA Cup clash between Brighton and Crystal Palace was a watershed moment, a step into the digital age, but while it was expected to be met with much fanfare, and perhaps some controversy, it was in fact much ado about nothing.

Only Glenn Murray's late winner in Brighton's 2-1 win was reviewed by the VAR team -- Neil Swarbrick and his assistant Peter Kirkup -- who watched the game on television in their West London office. They deemed the striker had not bundled the ball over the line with his hand.

The information was promptly relayed to on-field referee Andre Marriner, who was in constant communication with the VAR throughout the match. Marriner was happy to not consult the pitch-side monitor and the goal, correctly, stood.

"It wasn't my arm," Murray told reporters after the match. "I think VAR would have pulled me back if it was. I just needed to get something on it and luckily I did -- I think I got my hip or my knee or something on it.

"As soon as I did it I knew it wasn't my arm. There was no doubt about it for me."

Even opposition manager Roy Hodgson was satisfied the goal, which knocked his team out of the competition, had been correctly awarded.

"Neil Swarbrick has seen it from a better angle and it's not a handball," he said. "So I have to congratulate the system and I have no complaints at all.

"When you watch it lots of times like they've been able to do, from different angles, it would have been very harsh [to disallow it]."

Italy's Serie A, Germany's Bundesliga and Portugal's Primeira Liga introduced VAR, which is the fifth member of the refereeing team, at the beginning of this season for the first time in European club football.

The system had previously been used at last year's Club World Cup, Confederations Cup and FIFA U20 World Cup and has since been implemented in Australia's A-League, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Copa Libertadores.

There are just four types of decisions referees can refer back to VAR to help them clarify match-changing incidents: goals, penalties, red cards and cases of mistaken identity.

Bibiana Steinhaus, who this season became to first female referee to officiate a Bundesliga match, was one of the first to use VAR after its introduction in Germany.

"We are trying to adapt and include technology to make life for the referees as easy as possible," she told CNN.

"It's kind of a safety net for the referees as well, so what we want with the VAR project is to stop the headlines."

Steinhaus said she hoped VAR would prevent incidents such as Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' -- one of the most notorious moments in football history. The Argentine punched the ball into the net against England at the 1986 World Cup, putting Argentina 1-0 up in a quarterfinal match Maradona and his men went on to win. Argentina subsequently went on to win the World Cup.

"For the Maradona handball -- we all knew for years and years and, even though, it was a long time ago, we can still remember these things," she added. "You don't want to be the referee in this game, you really don't.

"So to protect the game and the beauty of the game and to make it fair for everybody, we involve the VAR project."</s>It had to be Glenn Murray, the striker who has straddled the rather unusual divide between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. This FA Cup third round tie was level with less than ten minutes to go when Chris Hughton called for the old-school centre-forward, who had spent four years of his long career at Palace.

The stage was set and Murray did not disappoint, although the travelling fans would surely not agree. When Uwe Hünemeier headed a free-kick goalwards, the action appeared to freeze. Murray kept on running and, with the faintest touch from his thigh, he sent Brighton towards a fourth round tie at Middlesbrough.

It was the night when a Video Assistant Referee was used for the first time in an English club game, and the big question concerned whether Murray also used his arm to bundle the ball home. To Palace’s disgust, VAR said no.

The visitors had offered little until Bakary Sako’s 25-year bolt-from-the-blue – as good a strike as this round of the competition has seen – but Brighton deserved to progress on the balance of play. Dale Stephens had put them in front but this was Murray’s night.

It had certainly felt incongruous, after all the build-up and the emphasis on the heat of this unusual derby, that the home sections of the stadium should be dotted with empty seats. How the travelling Palace fans, crammed in behind one of the goals, enjoyed pointing that out.

Perhaps the Brighton supporters had been disappointed by Chris Hughton’s scratch line-up, which had been advertised in advance. The manager, who retained only three starting players from last Monday’s home draw against Bournemouth, is of the pragmatic school.

He might have tasted FA Cup glory as a player with Tottenham Hotspur but he knows that Premier League survival is everything these days. His was something of a gamble. He would keep his stars in reserve for Saturday’s trip to West Bromwich Albion.

It looked as though the conditions would play their part in the early running. On a cold night there was evidence of the players struggling to keep their footing and, when that happens, it can chip away at their certainty. The Brighton attacker Izzy Brown was distraught when he was forced off after slipping and feeling something twang, while Palace lost Jeff Schlupp shortly afterwards. The pair had been involved in a fifth minute tackle, after which both had needed treatment.

Roy Hodgson’s starting XI boasted the greater degree of familiarity, even if Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke – who were rested altogether – were obvious misses.

Stephens opened the scoring for Brighton midway through the first half as a gaping hole opened up in the Palace defence when Yohan Cabaye stepped out in an attempt to intercept Ezequiel Schelotto’s low pass-back from the right. Cabaye did not get there and, when Stephens collected, he burst into the area and yards of space. The Brighton captain made the most of it, shooting hard and low and, seemingly, through Wayne Hennessey in the Palace goal. In a nod to VAR, the referee Andre Marriner had checked the live link via his earpiece. Yes,one of the least controversial goals of the season was allowed to stand.

Brighton were the more coherent and hungrier team in the first half, and they got what joy there was up the right, where Solly March pulled wide and Schelotto pushed up. March failed to get sufficient power or direction on a free header from Gaëtan Bong’s deep cross and then managed to get only a touch goalwards from Schelotto’s low centre. Hennessey’s save was routine, as it had been earlier from a Tomer Hemed header.

It said everything that Hodgson sent his players out early for the second-half – minus Andros Townsend, who he replaced with Sulley Kaikai. They were out so early that they had to wait for about three minutes to see their opponents. The sum total of their efforts before the interval had been a couple of bursts upfield from Sako.

They had to bring more and it was easy to imagine that a few words might have been exchanged in the dressing room. Spool forward to the hour mark and Hodgson could be seen chuntering on the touchline with his assistant, Ray Lewington. Nothing much had changed, apart from a bit more intensity.

Then Sako turned the tie on its head. What stood out, as well as the power of his finish, was the surprise factor and, when the striker burst through after a slip from Connor Goldson to swell the side-netting, we had a game on our hands.

Back came Brighton. Sam Baldock hit the post and then blew a glorious one-on-one either side of a miss from the otherwise excellent Beram Kayal. Murray would have the last word.</s>The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to English football became shrouded in confusion after what Roy Hodgson felt was Brighton's "suspicious" winning goal against Crystal Palace.

The introduction of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to English football became shrouded in confusion after what Roy Hodgson felt was Brighton's "suspicious" winning goal against Crystal Palace.

Brighton's 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat of their rivals represented the first time VAR was in use in a competitive fixture in England, and it created an air of uncertainty around Glenn Murray's finish.

He scored with his knee in the 87th minute but, amid suggestions of handball, there was confusion among players, those present at The Amex Stadium and television viewers over whether VAR had had any influence on the decision. According to Palace's Hodgson and Brighton manager Chris Hughton, match referee Andre Marriner had been in contact with fellow official Neil Swarbrick, working with VAR from a west London studio, about the goal.

That Marriner did not indicate as such or use the pitch-side VAR monitors contributed to the confusion, and Hodgson said: "We had suspicions. The people close to it seemed to be incensed, and from our angle it looks as if he's guided the ball in with his arm. "You've got to congratulate the system: when you watch it lots of times like they've been able to do, from different angles, it would have been very harsh (to disallow it).

"It was a genuine goal, and the referee was helped by the fact he had Swarbrick in the VAR studio (in west London) making a judgement that'd help him out, so I have no complaints. "There was a brief pause and I was of the impression Swarbrick and Marriner were talking. I had a few spiteful comments to the referee on the way in, but that's just my nature, I'm afraid. I regret them now."

Hughton's Brighton secured victory despite him making eight changes from the team that last week drew 2-2 with Bournemouth in the Premier League. Of the goal, he said: "I am under the impression that VAR was used.

" That's what I am led to believe: that it was used and there was not a decision to be made. At the time I wasn't aware some thought it was handball.

"When they get the equaliser, which is a wonder goal, and you miss a couple of good chances, you start to think it's not going to be your day."

Victory means his team travel to Championship side Middlesbrough in the competition's fourth round, between January 26 and 29. Over that same weekend, Manchester United have been drawn to face League Two Yeovil Town, the lowest-ranked side yet to be eliminated, Tottenham will face Newport, and Manchester City meet Cardiff or Mansfield.</s>Crystal Palace and Brighton left unconvinced by VAR after first outing in FA Cup clash – The Independent

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This post was syndicated from Sports - Google News. Click here to read the full text on the original website.</s>Brighton and Hove Albion 2 Crystal Palace 1: Murray downs old club to earn fourth-round spot

Glenn Murray scored a late winner against his old club as Brighton and Hove Albion knocked rivals Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup in Monday's FA Cup third-round tie.

Dale Stephens rifled Brighton ahead midway through the first half with his first goal since December 2016, collecting a pass from Ezequiel Schelotto and smashing past Wayne Hennessey at his near post.

After 69 minutes, Bakary Sako lashed a swerving 25-yard drive in off the post to level the contest - his fifth goal of the season taking him joint-top of Palace's scoring charts this season - but it was not enough.

Video Assistant Referees (VAR) were being trialled for the first time in competitive English football, but match official Andre Marriner did not need to consult the technology after substitute Murray settled the tie with three minutes to play, getting the decisive touch on Uwe Hunemeier's looping header to score a close-range winner.

Championship side Middlesbrough will welcome Brighton to the Riverside in the fourth round.

- Brighton have progressed to the FA Cup Fourth Round in eight of the last nine campaigns.

 - Murray has scored in back to back appearances for Brighton, after netting just once in his previous 10.



- It was Stephens’ first FA Cup goal since November 2010, while playing for Oldham Athletic versus Accrington Stanley.
Video assistant referee (VAR) technology makes its debut in an English club competition during a 2017–18 FA Cup match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.