Bristol City manager Liam Manning has said introduction of VAR in the Championship would ‘probably help’ after a controversial incident during his side’s 1-1 draw against Swansea City.
Manning’s comments came after Swansea’s early lead, scored by Ben Cabango, was overshadowed by claims of a foul on Bristol City’s goalkeeper Max O’Leary during the build-up. This issue has reignited the debate about whether VAR should be implemented in England’s second tier, and Manning believes it could help in such situations where crucial decisions might otherwise go unnoticed.
With the game itself showcasing plenty of attacking intent from both sides, the post-match discussion quickly shifted to the influence of refereeing decisions and the potential for VAR to improve the fairness of these contests.
The match began with an explosive tempo, as both teams looked to assert themselves early. Swansea took the lead inside 15 minutes, thanks to Cabango’s precise volley from a corner delivered by Eom Ji-sung. However, the goal wasn’t without controversy. Replays showed Swansea’s forward, Ronald, impeding Bristol City’s goalkeeper, O’Leary, by grabbing him during the set-piece, which prevented him from attempting to clear the ball. Despite protests from O’Leary and his teammates, the referee, Andrew Kitchen, allowed the goal to stand, leaving the visiting side incensed.
As the first half progressed, the game remained open and chances continued to flow. Bristol City nearly equalized when Sinclair Armstrong struck the post after a well-delivered cross from Scott Twine, while Swansea’s Ollie Cooper also hit the woodwork in what was a chaotic but thrilling opening 45 minutes. Both sides traded opportunities, and it was surprising that the scoreline remained 1-0 heading into halftime, given the attacking fluidity displayed by both teams.
In the second half, Bristol City began to seize control of the match. Armstrong came close to levelling the score once more, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux. As the visitors continued to ramp up the pressure, they eventually found their equalizer in the 76th minute when Jason Knight powered a header into the net from Twine’s corner, giving Bristol City a well-deserved share of the spoils. Substitute Mark Sykes had a chance to win it for the visitors moments later, but Vigouroux was again on hand to make the save.
While the match itself provided plenty of entertainment and drama, the key talking point remained the legitimacy of Swansea’s opener. After the game, Manning expressed his frustration over the incident, believing that VAR could have resolved the controversy. He pointed out that O’Leary had been unfairly obstructed during the corner that led to Cabango’s goal, and was disappointed that the match officials failed to spot the infringement.
“Their goal is hugely frustrating,” Manning said. “When you look at the footage from multiple angles, you can see Max is being held. It’s clear for me, and it’s frustrating that it wasn’t given.”
Manning went on to discuss the broader issue of refereeing decisions in the Championship, acknowledging that while he supports contact in the game, incidents like this highlight the need for VAR. “For me, I want contact in games, but when it’s that glaringly obvious, you have to give the foul. I don’t want a passive game, but you need to enforce the laws properly.”
He added that VAR could help ensure that key decisions do not unfairly impact the outcome of matches, citing a similar incident in Norwich City’s game against Derby County, where a ball appeared to go out of play in the build-up to a goal.
With Bristol City sitting in 14th place after the draw, the result keeps themfour points outside of the top six. However, as Manning pointed out, moments like these could prove crucial as the season progresses, and introducing VAR could provide more fairness in such high-stakes situations.
Writers’ View
From a neutral perspective, it’s easy to see why Liam Manning is frustrated. In a league as competitive as the Championship, even the smallest refereeing errors can have major implications, and the Robins could have been undone by a decision that might have been overturned with the help of VAR. While Manning is right to want a game where physicality and contact are part of the contest, ensuring that those within the rules is key, especially when it comes to decisions that impact the scoreline.
As for VAR, its introduction in the Championship will undoubtedly remain a divisive issue. There are valid concerns about its impact on the flow of the game, but in matches like this one, where goals can hinge on contentious moments, it’s understandable why managers and players alike are calling for a solution that ensures fairness. Whether the Championship adopts VAR remains to be seen, but the debate is unlikely to soon disappear.
