Manchester City vs Watford: Javi Gracia says VAR not the solution to Raheem Sterling offside goal

Raheem Sterling broke Watford’s resolve at the start of the second half on Saturday but did so from an offside position

Javi Gracia, the Watford manager, is sceptical as to whether VAR will see an end to the refereeing errors which contributed to his side’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.

Raheem Sterling broke Watford’s resolve at the start of the second half on Saturday but did so from an offside position.

Assistant referee Adrian Holmes initially flagged Sterling offside but, after some deliberation, he was overruled by referee Paul Tierney.

Tierney appeared to award the goal on the basis that Watford full-back Daryl Janmaat touched the ball while attempting to block the pass to Sterling.

Watford quickly collapsed once behind, with Sterling completing a 13-minute hat-trick for City before being substituted.

Gracia was disappointed with the decision to award Sterling’s first, believing that Tierney’s call changed the game.

And the Watford manager does not believe that the introduction of video technology (VAR) to the Premier League next season will prevent further mistakes.

“I don’t think the VAR is the solution,” Gracia said. “I think the solution is first of all to have the rules made clear.

“The VAR I’m sure can help the referees but first of all we have to know the rules. There are different opinions [about the offside].

“I’m sure the VAR will help referees to make less mistakes but first of all we have to know the rules and to know if it’s offside or not offside this play.”

Gracia felt his side, who defended well in the first half, would have been capable of taking at least a point from the champions had the goal not stood.

“I think we were working well in the first half,” he said. “We were working this way with the confidence that we would be able to score in the second half or to manage the game better if they didn’t score.

“But after the first goal it was different. They have a good squad and very good players. You know you can’t concede or make any mistakes because they will take advantage.”