Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher assesses the controversial moments from the festive action, including Joao Pedro's “stunning” escape from a red card for an elbow in Brighton's goalless draw at home to Brentford.
Brighton 0-0 Brentford
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Brighton's Pedro was shown a red card by VAR after appearing to elbow Brentford's Yehor Yarmolyuk
INCIDENT: Brighton striker Joao Pedro escaped punishment for elbowing Brentford's Yehor Yarmolyuk after being booked for pulling the Brazilian's shirt.
DERMOT SAYS: “I don't know what to say! When I saw it I expected him to go, I really did, and then I was told it was because he didn't make any contact and the player didn't have to take evasive action.
“Well, you can read what you want into it – I think he had the best Christmas present he could ever have without a red card.
“I'd be surprised if someone didn't vote for the red card in your poll.
“There is no doubt that football there expects a red card and that the referees in the future should be told that they have to take a stand and say that this is not acceptable.
About the retrospective action: “He was so lucky because the referee was under VAR control, who checked for possible foul play and said no because he missed the player and didn't have to take evasive action.
“He ruled on that incident and therefore it was resolved and closed.”
Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth
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The Ref Watch panel debates whether Bournemouth's Ryan Christie should have been sent off for a tackle on Fulham's Antonee Robinson
INCIDENT: Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie only received a yellow card for a two-footed lunge at Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, with VAR agreeing with on-field referee Rob Jones' decision.
DERMOT SAYS: “He got a lot of the ball, which saved him from the red card – if he hadn't got any balls, he would have been sent off undoubtedly.
“First he connects with the ball and then with Robinson, that's why the referee gave him a yellow card based on that, so the VAR stayed with it. But it wasn't nice.”
Crystal Palace 2:1 Southampton
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Crystal Palace's equalizer was ruled out by VAR after Jean-Philippe Mateta appeared to push Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
INCIDENT: Trevoh Chalobah's equalizer for Crystal Palace against Southampton goes to VAR for a possible foul on Saints goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
DERMOT SAYS: “Actually I think it's a goal. When the ball comes to the ball, it's Ramsdale who actually pushes Jean-Philippe Mateta first.
“I don't see how you can side with one over the other. If you think one is a push, then you have to say the other is a push.”
Motherwell 2-2 Rangers
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Ref Watch panel discuss whether Rangers keeper Jack Butland was lucky to be fouled after Motherwell corner
INCIDENT: Motherwell striker Tony Watt's goal was ruled out for a foul on Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland to deny the hosts a 3-1 lead.
DERMOT SAYS: “He's similar to the Ramsdale one, only his hand is in the air, does he get his hand. The ref (Kevin Clancy) thinks so as he blows early.”
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Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell was left fuming after having a goal disallowed in the draw with Rangers
INCIDENT: Rangers felt Apostolos Stamatelopoulos' opening goal for Motherwell should have been ruled out for handball.
DERMOT SAYS: “It's really intriguing – the ball hits the scorer's hand, his hand is tucked in, so the question is: is it intentional? Because that's all you can give because he didn't score from it, the ball went to another player (Tawanda Maswanhise) before scoring.
“I think his (Stamatelopoulos) hands are in, the VAR (Steven McLean) said it wasn't intentional, so play continues and he scores.”
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Highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Rangers
INCIDENT: Motherwell's Lennon Miller only received a yellow card after a late tackle on Rangers' Oscar Cortes.
DERMOT SAYS: “I looked at this and he gets the ball after the man, he gets the man first and it's not a nice break – the only thing that saves him is that the referee is too close, I don't think he sees it as clearly as he does to me.
“This is the dilemma of VAR, what is the threshold for intervention, what is a clear and obvious mistake? The referee is there, he gave a yellow card and they kept it.”