The official Premier League explanation for why Joe Willock had his ‘goal’ disallowed for ‘offside’, was beyond ridiculous.
Former referee Mike Dean laughing in the Sky Sports studio as the VAR decision (and cartoon graphic, see below) was made public to supposedly ‘prove’ why the Newcastle United strike had to be disallowed.
Premier League Match Centre official explanation (‘The operational hub for all Premier League matches. This account provides information directly from Match Centre, the VAR Hub and PGMO experts.’)
‘VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Willock was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed.’
In the Sky Sports studio reacting to that Joe Willock ‘goal’ ruled out for offside by VAR:
Former Spurs player Michael Dawson:
“Oh my word, if he (Joe Willock) had cut his hair, if he’d had Mike’s head (bald Mike Dean) he would have been onside.”
Former referee Mike Dean:
“It is just so close. They (VAR on their cartoon graphic) have got a circle on his (Van de Ven’s) shoulder and a circle there (on Joe Willock’s forehead). That is the closest one I have ever seen. Closest one I have ever seen on automated offsides.”
#TOTNEW – 45’ VAR OVERTURN
VAR checked the referee’s call of goal – and established that Willock was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed. pic.twitter.com/W0RdRaNaG4
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) February 10, 2026
I can’t imagine how gutted I would have felt if Newcastle United hadn’t still gone on to win this match, such is the pathetic nature of this Joe Willock decision.
These minute margins are impossible to prove in reality, I have seen previous analysis where it has been shown that there are a number of different frames that can be used as a player plays the pass, how which one is chosen (all of the different frames showing the foot in contact with the ball as the pass is made) can make a significant difference, never mind using a minimal part of somebody’s forehead.
To add insult to injury, it was some 50 yards from goal when Joe Willock was played through with Van de Ven alongside him. If somebody headed a goal it would make some sort of sense to use the forehead in an offside decision but what on earth advantage would Willock have had, even if his forehead was in front of Van de Ven’s body when the ball was played???
Spurs 1 Newcastle 2 – Tuesday 10 February 2026 7.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Thiaw 45+5, Ramsey 68
Newcastle United :
Spurs:
Gray 64
Possession was Newcastle 47% Spurs 53%
Total shots were Newcastle 21 Spurs 16
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Spurs 2
Corners were Newcastle 12 Spurs 2
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 54 Spurs 28
Newcastle team v Spurs:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Ramsey (Tonali 5), Bruno (90+1 Bruno), Willock (Woltemade 88), Barnes, Elanga (Jacob Murphy 75), Gordon (Osula 88)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Wissa, Alex Murphy, Shahar