Howard Webb reveals how officials made blunder in not awarding Wolves a penalty at Old Trafford last month as referees’ chief explains VAR decisions on new Premier League show

In a new directive for greater transparency about the Premier League’s big decisions, refereeing chief Howard Webb has revealed why Wolves were denied a penalty late in their defeat to Manchester United.

Webb spoke at the first meeting of the PGMOL Match Officials Mic’d Up show, accompanied by Michael Owen in the studio for the 26 minute program.

One of the most controversial decisions was Simon Hooper’s decision not to punish Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana for a reckless collision with Wolves player Sasa Kalajdzic.

Webb quickly reached out to Wolves in the aftermath to apologize for Hooper’s mistake – which cost them a golden chance at a point at Old Trafford – and has now explained at length how exactly Gary O’Neil’s side did that night was let down by the VAR.

“We hear the VAR go through the check phase in this circumstance and he describes what he saw,” Webb said. He starts to recommend a review, but he thinks about it a little too much.

Onana lost the run from a cross and collided with Kalajdzic, but Wolves were not awarded a penalty

“Sometimes the VAR can do that. They try to identify what the game would expect and when he sees them coming together he knows this can happen and it’s not a violation.

“He sees it as a collision and two players coming together. The difference with this one is that Onana jumps in on the Wolves player, so it’s not two players coming together. It’s one thing that passes into the other.’

In an extended discussion, which went beyond Wolves’ setback at Old Trafford to include debates over Kai Havertz’s overturned penalty this weekend against Manchester United; Red card from Anass Zaroury; John Egan handball penalty; red card from Virgil van Dijk; and Nathan Ake’s goal against Fulham.

The show was produced through Premier League Productions and broadcast on both Sky Sports and TNT Sports.

While the process should give fans a clearer picture of VAR decision-making at the moment, the call to Onana remains a major frustration for Wolves fans.

In the sixth minute of extra time at the end of the game, Onana rushed out for a cross from the right, but didn’t get close and hammered Kalajdzic instead.

During his protests, boss O’Neil was booked and Webb is determined to face mistakes like this.

Micahel Owen joined Webb for the show, which airs on both Sky and TNT Sports

He added: “Ultimately we didn’t recommend a review… which we should have done, we recognize that as a mistake, which is obviously disappointing.

‘We think it’s important that we recognize obvious mistakes. If it’s that obvious, we don’t want people comparing this situation.

“This was clearly wrong. If this happens the following week, we expect a penalty to be awarded. So I think it’s only right that we acknowledge mistakes when they happen, and acknowledge that that wasn’t correct; and we expect to see something different next time.”

More to follow.