You might say that VAR is like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. But that wouldn’t necessarily be true, as it’s hard to find many people that have taken to video technology in football all that kindly.
One punter in Manchester is particularly overjoyed by the absence of VAR from the early rounds of the FA Cup this season. If video officiating had been in place for Manchester United’s fourth round tie against Leicester City earlier in February, it’s a certainty that Harry Maguire’s injury time winner for the Red Devils would have been chalked off.
But, luckily for them and United, the goal stood… and our plucky punter turned a £100 five-fold accumulator into a payout of a cool £82,911.
Toeing the Line
As part of their acca, the bettor in question had backed Manchester United to win and both teams to score during their tussle at Old Trafford.
These types of bets are often predicated on the underdog, in this case Leicester, finding the necessary goal on away soil.
But all went rather smoothly in that regard, as the Foxes not only dominated the first half but also took the lead through Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s smart strike.
The traditional mumblings began to be heard around Old Trafford as United struggled to find any kind of forward motion, but Ruben Amorim’s team talk must have been a humdinger as his side played with more energy and fire in the second half.
They got the equaliser they deserved through Joshua Zirkzee, which of course meant that our punter’s both teams to score pick had landed… but he still needed United to go on and win the game.
Other than a few half chances here and there, that didn’t look likely until the Red Devils won a free kick in a dangerous position in the third minute of stoppage time.
Bruno Fernandes floated over a cross and Maguire, formerly of Leicester City, was left completely unmarked to head home and spark wild celebrations both inside Old Trafford and in our punter’s front room.
But as the BBC showed various replays of the goal on their broadcast, it quickly became apparent that Maguire was clearly stood in an offside position when Fernandes crossed the ball.
However, the linesman completely failed to spot the offside… and with no VAR to overturn the non-decision, the goal stood and United hung on to their lead.
Fantastic Five
Even though the betslip-holder would have gone through the emotional ringer watching the action at Old Trafford, the entirety of their five-fold was far from plain sailing.
They had backed Northampton Town to beat Mansfield Town in League One at meaty odds of 17/5. And the Cobblers took full advantage of their hosts’ poor form with Cameron McGeehan notching a second half winner to get the acca up and running.
The punter had gone for three selections from a unique market: backing the draw at half time in a trio of games, before expecting one of the teams to go on and win the contest.
First up were Bayern Munich in their home game against Werder Bremen. The hosts dominated the first half and looked likely to score, firing in nine shots at their opponent’s goal in that opening period. However, Werder somehow clung on to the 0-0 until half-time.
After the break, well, the floodgates opened as expected. Harry Kane and Leroy Sane were amongst the goals as Bayern ran out comfortable 3-0 victors.
Next up was a trip to Spain, with Rayo Vallecano – La Liga’s surprise package knocking on the door of the top five – hosting bottom of the table Real Valladolid.
Our punter had gone for a half-time draw, full-time Rayo verdict, which at least had legs when the first half ended goalless.
Like Bayern, Rayo Vallecano upped the ante and started to create better chances – rattling in 1.72 in xG from just 12 shots. One of those, from Alvaro Garcia, broke the deadlock and ended Valladolid’s stout resistance.
More agony was yet to come. Our punter needed Como vs Juventus to be a draw at half time, but the Old Lady led 1-0 deep into injury time. So treasure Assane Diao, who popped up with an equaliser to send the game to the break at 1-1.
The anonymous bettor still needed Juventus to win, mind you, and the game seemed to be petering out into a draw. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Como keeper came out to collect a cross and clattered Juve’s Federico Gatti.
Randal Kolo Muani slotted home the 89th minute spot kick to ensure the Ladbrokes customer would be the best part of £83,000 better off.
The firm’s spokesperson said:
“As if a first-half injury-time Como goal and a last-gasp Juve penalty weren’t enough good fortune, a hugely controversial winner was the difference between an unlucky acca and a mouthwatering £83,000… Harry Maguire’s Fan Club definitely has a new member!”