Nottingham Forest fans had plenty to celebrate on Saturday after their stunning 7-0 victory over Brighton, a result that lifted them level on points with Arsenal in the race for Champions League qualification.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen celebrating enthusiastically with the players after full-time, marking one of the club’s most memorable Premier League performances.
Chris Wood’s hat-trick and Anthony Elanga’s trio of assists stood out in a game where nearly every Forest player delivered an exceptional performance. The dominant display was only slightly overshadowed by Murillo’s injury scare, though fans later spotted him moving freely in the dressing room, easing concerns about his condition.
However, while Forest fans were basking in the glory of their emphatic win, football pundit Richard Keys took issue with a particular VAR decision during the match. Keys expressed his frustration over the lengthy offside check that followed Wood’s crucial third goal.
Keys Calls Out VAR for Questionable Offside Check
Elanga’s pinpoint cross found Wood at the back post, and the striker made no mistake in heading the ball home. Yet, before the celebrations could fully begin, VAR intervened, conducting a prolonged review to determine whether Wood was offside. Despite replays clearly showing the New Zealand forward was comfortably onside, the check dragged on for several minutes, frustrating both fans in the stadium and those watching at home.
Keys took to social media to voice his displeasure, sharing an image of the VAR graphic displayed on television and commenting:
“This isn’t even accurate. The line goes through Dunk’s boot. He’s even more ‘on’ than this.”
While the decision ultimately did not impact the result, it reignited concerns over VAR’s efficiency and accuracy, which have been a recurring issue for Nottingham Forest this season.
Forest’s Troubled History with VAR
The controversy surrounding VAR is nothing new for Forest. Just weeks ago, their 3-2 victory over Southampton saw contentious decisions that could have altered the game. Flynn Downes, who committed two challenges that seemed worthy of yellow cards, escaped without a red, as VAR chose not to intervene.
Further back, club owner Marinakis delivered a fiery rant about VAR, questioning its effectiveness in improving officiating. The most infamous instance came last season in Forest’s defeat to Everton, where the club publicly criticized officiating decisions after three possible penalty claims went unawarded—a move that eventually led to a fine.
A Non-Issue for Now, But a Problem for the Future?
On this occasion, VAR’s inefficiency did not harm Forest, as their performance against Brighton was nothing short of spectacular. However, as Keys pointed out, on another day, a similar VAR error could have had serious consequences.
While Marinakis and head coach Nuno Espírito Santo will focus on the positives from Saturday’s performance, their ongoing issues with VAR remain a concern, especially as Forest continues its push for a Champions League spot.
