Crystal Palace 1-0 Southampton: Three Match Takeaway Thoughts

English referee Jonathan Moss shows a yellow card to Southampton's English defender Kyle Walker-Peters (L) for a foul on Crystal Palace's English defender Tyrick Mitchell, after overturning his own decision of a red card after consulting the replay screen during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park in south London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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English referee Jonathan Moss consults the replay screen (Photo by RICHARD HEATHCOTE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Shock horror: VAR finally being used appropriately

It is safe to say that Jon Moss is not held in the highest esteem by the Southampton fan base. However, he deserves credit for his use of the available technology after initially brandishing a red card to Kyle Walker-Peters. In real time, Moss felt that the high boot of the Southampton right back merited an early bath but after consulting with the VAR team, he made his way over to the pitch-side TV monitor to personally review the incident.

After watching the replay from various angles, Moss came to the correct decision that the high boot was careless rather than dangerous and he overturned his decision to the approval of the watching Hasenhuttl. By downgrading the card to a yellow, the appropriate outcome was reached, and it was a positive experience for those watching.

The transparency of the review process was a marked improvement on the opaqueness of last season and with the on-field referee making the ultimate decision, the responsibility and ownership shown by Moss felt a positive step. If this example is followed across the board, one senses there will be greater buy in to the use of technology at supporter level.