After a summer of debate over the Video Assistant Referee system at the World Cup finals in Russia, the new Premier League season got under way this weekend without it.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at a series of decisions which may have been different had VAR been in place.

Mane happy returns

Posted by Liverpool FC on Sunday, August 12, 2018

Liverpool hitman Sadio Mane helped himself to a double in Sunday’s 4-0 demolition of West Ham at Anfield, but his second should not have been allowed. The Senegal international had not quite worked his way back from an offside position when he collected Roberto Firmino’s pass and scored, an error which surely would have been rectified on review.

Rough justice for Jack?

Jack Cork thought he had fired Burnley into the lead at former club Southampton after running on to Ashley Westwood’s pass, only for an offside flag to end his celebrations. However, replays suggested that he had come out on the wrong end of a very tight decision in a game which ultimately ended in stalemate.

Sissoko stamp?

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur – Premier League – St James’ Park
Newcastle’s Kenedy (centre) battles for the ball with Tottenham’s Serge Aurier (left) and Moussa Sissoko (right) (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Newcastle winger Kenedy felt the full force of Moussa Sissoko after being felled by the Tottenham midfielder during Saturday’s 2-1 victory at St James’ Park. Former Magpie Sissoko had already been penalised for a foul on the Brazilian, but then appeared to stand on the prone player’s calf with match official Martin Atkinson and his assistants not spotting the incident.

Red mist

Referee Craig Pawson shows a red card to Everton’s Phil Jagielka
Referee Craig Pawson shows a red card to Everton’s Phil Jagielka (Nick Potts/PA)

Everton defender Phil Jagielka was shown a straight red card by Craig Pawson after catching Wolves’ Diogo Jota as he lunged in having taken a heavy touch. Television pictures revealed he may have got ball before man, but opinion was divided over whether or not he should have been sent off.

Schurrle that’s a penalty?

Top-flight newcomers Fulham were denied what they thought was a certain penalty after striker Andre Schurrle had gone down under defender Mamadou Sakho’s challenge during their 2-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace. Referee Mike Dean swiftly waved away the Germany international’s appeals, but television replays suggested he was wrong to do so.