Howard Webb’s reasoning behind John Stones’ goal compared to Van Dijk’s is completely baffling.
Howard Webb has offered his reasoning for why John Stones’ goal in Manchester City’s win over Wolves last season was allowed to stand, while Virgil van Dijk’s similar strike against the same team at the Etihad on Sunday was ruled out.
Both incidents appeared almost identical: a corner was taken, an attacker stood in an offside position near the goalkeeper, and the ball ended up in the net — prompting the assistant referee’s flag. Yet, while VAR overturned the on-field decision at Molineux 13 months ago, Liverpool’s equaliser at the weekend was disallowed after review.
Webb’s explanation for the Stones goal
Speaking on the Match Officials: Mic’d Up programme on Tuesday night, Webb addressed the controversy after the VAR audio from Van Dijk’s disallowed goal was released. When Michael Owen asked him why two nearly identical situations had different outcomes, Webb referred back to Stones’ goal in October 2024.
According to the PGMOL chief (via Sky Sports), “The difference here is that the ball travels directly over José Sá’s head, not over Bernardo Silva’s. Silva, who was offside, moves left and away from the ball’s path. The ball goes straight over Sá; it doesn’t pass over Silva’s head like it did over Andy Robertson’s, who ducked beneath it.
“It’s hard to see how Sá’s actions were affected by Silva. If the ball had gone over Silva’s head, possibly making Sá hesitate, then we’d have upheld the on-field decision for a disallowed goal.”
Webb’s reasoning doesn’t hold up
Webb’s comments have left many baffled. During that Wolves match, Silva clearly moved toward Sá, even making contact before stepping aside as Stones headed the ball — behaviour that arguably interfered with the goalkeeper. If that wasn’t considered obstruction, it’s difficult to see how Robertson’s minor movement against Donnarumma merited Liverpool’s goal being ruled out.
In reality, the incident at Molineux involved far more interference than the one at the Etihad, yet only the latter was penalised. Webb’s explanation has done little to calm the frustration of Liverpool fans, instead deepening confusion and anger over the inconsistency of officiating decisions.
Once again, supporters are left questioning how Premier League referees and VAR officials continue to deliver contradictory rulings, seemingly without accountability or genuine efforts to raise officiating standards.
