Frank Lampard humorously expressed his fondness for VAR after Igor Jesus’ goal was disallowed, allowing Coventry City to secure their first Premier League victory of the season against Nottingham Forest.
Coventry’s opening goal of the season came from Jay Dasilva in the 55th minute, as he found space behind Daniel Munoz and drove Carl Rushworth’s long pass past Matz Sels.
Nottingham Forest responded with increased pressure, nearly equalizing when Igor Jesus managed to lift the ball over Rushworth, only for Bobby Thomas to clear it off the line.
Although Igor Jesus scored in the 86th minute, his goal was overturned after referee Jarred Gillett reviewed the play and determined he had fouled Caleb Yirenkyi during the buildup.
“I love VAR!” Lampard playfully remarked to Sky Sports.
In a more serious tone, he added, “I won’t say too much because I understand that fortunes change throughout the season.”
“I was concerned. From my perspective, it appeared he had made contact. I checked with the bench to see if he had clipped him, and they responded that he likely stumbled over his own feet.”
“As I anxiously awaited their decision, I began to feel hopeful as they took their time. Ultimately, the replay showed that he did step on him slightly, resulting in a foul.”
“I won’t get overly excited since sometimes it goes in your favor and other times it doesn’t, but I believe VAR made the right call.”
W at Forest. pic.twitter.com/JdjMsuwhSV
— Coventry City (@CoventryCityFC) September 19, 2026
This season, Nottingham Forest has gone scoreless in their first three home league matches for the first time ever, with just one win at the City Ground in the top flight this year.
Oliver Glasner sensed a change in the atmosphere, which he attributed to the team’s struggles last season when they finished 16th.
“We aimed for three points, and the players gave their all until the final whistle, but we made a critical error with a long ball from the goalkeeper,” Glasner explained to BBC Sport.
“We fought hard, but ultimately, we have to hold ourselves accountable. This marks our third straight home game without scoring, which complicates winning.”
“We need to find a way forward. For the first time, I felt the burden of our past; the dressing room was very tense. When we conceded the goal, the nerves spread through the City Ground, seemingly stemming from last year.”
“There’s no one to blame; we need to play with greater freedom and confidence.”
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing struggles of Nottingham Forest and the implications of VAR decisions in high-stakes matches. As the season unfolds, the pressure on teams like Forest can change the landscape of league competition and impact fan engagement at the stadium.
Source: www.soccernews.com
