The 2025-26 Premier League season, now at its midpoint with most teams having played 20 matches as of January 5, 2026, has seen referee decisions spark intense debate. Penalties, often decided by split-second calls and VAR reviews, have influenced outcomes and standings. Teams like Brentford have capitalised on spot-kicks, while others, such as Burnley, have suffered from conceding them. VAR errors have compounded frustrations, with Liverpool and Manchester United bearing the brunt.
This blog on 96APK analysis examines the data and key incidents driving the controversy related to the EPL referee decisions.
Penalty Winners: Teams Benefiting from Referee Calls
Brentford tops the list with 7 penalties awarded, converting 5 into goals for a 71.4% success rate. Critics argue several of these decisions favoured them unfairly, fueling accusations of referee bias. For instance, in their match against Liverpool, VAR awarded Brentford a penalty after initially calling a free-kick, a call that 65.3% of polled fans deemed correct but still ignited backlash from Liverpool supporters.
Brighton & Hove Albion follows with 5 penalties, converting 3 for a 60% rate. Their set-piece prowess has drawn scrutiny, especially in games where holding in the box went unpunished against opponents but benefited them. Crystal Palace and Manchester United each secured 4 penalties, with Palace achieving a perfect 100% conversion and United managing 50%. Arsenal, Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth, Leeds United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers each earned 3, highlighting how these calls have boosted attacking outputs for mid-table and top contenders.
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Lower down, teams like Chelsea and Manchester City received only 2 each, suggesting referees have scrutinised their penalty claims more rigorously. These disparities underscore how referee interpretations of contact in the box vary, often tipping matches in favour of aggressive forward play.
Penalty Losers: Teams Punished by Concessions
Burnley and West Ham United lead as the biggest losers, each conceding 5 penalties, with Burnley allowing all 5 to score and West Ham four. The 19th-placed Burnley’s defensive woes, including poor tackling in the area, have cost them points in relegation battles. Nottingham Forest, Brighton, and Brentford each conceded 4, with Forest and Brighton seeing all converted. Ironically, the bees appear on both lists, conceding 4 while winning 7, which raises questions about inconsistent officiating in their fixtures.
AFC Bournemouth, Leeds United, Everton, Fulham, and Liverpool each conceded 3. On Arne Slot’s side, Liverpool’s concessions have amplified fan outrage, particularly when paired with denied claims. Teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers conceded just 1 each, reflecting disciplined defending that avoids controversial fouls. These statistics reveal how penalties against them have derailed campaigns, especially for sides fighting for survival.
Top Players: Most Successful Penalty Conversions This Season
Individual brilliance from the spot shines through amid the controversies. Igor Thiago (Brentford) leads with 5 successful conversions out of 6 attempts, driving Brentford’s strong performance from penalties. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) follows closely, scoring all 3 of his attempts perfectly.
Several players tie for 3rd with 2 each: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) nets 2 from four tries, while Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham United), Zian Flemming (Burnley), and Enzo Le Fée (Sunderland) each convert both of their opportunities.
Other standouts include Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), who each score 1 from one attempt, bolstering their teams in key moments. These conversions transform debated referee calls into decisive goals, influencing match outcomes across the league.
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VAR’s Role: Errors Amplifying the Debate
VAR has intervened in numerous decisions but has not eliminated controversy. Liverpool and Manchester United each face 5 errors against them, netting a -3 difference, while Newcastle has 5 against for a -2 net. Chelsea benefits most with 5 errors in their favour, followed by Aston Villa with 4. Burnley remains the only team with 0 errors for or against, a rarity in this error-prone system.
These imbalances have altered the table. Without VAR “errors,” Liverpool would gain points from overturned calls, potentially climbing higher. The system, intended to correct obvious mistakes, instead highlights subjective judgments on penalties, with polls showing fan disagreement on over 50% of reviewed incidents in the English Premier League.
Key Controversial Incidents
Several penalty-related decisions have dominated headlines. In Gameweek 9, Brentford vs Liverpool saw VAR upgrade a free-kick to a penalty, allowing Brentford to score and win, enraging Liverpool fans who felt the contact was minimal. Everton suffered twice: denied a penalty against Arsenal in Gameweek 18 for a wild clearance hitting Thierno Barry, and another against Burnley for a handball by Jaidon Anthony.
Manchester United’s woes included a denied penalty against Wolves in Gameweek 15, where fans polled 58.5% for a spot-kick. Chelsea, conversely, benefited from a contentious penalty against Bournemouth in Gameweek 19, with 61.6% agreeing but opponents decrying simulation. These moments illustrate how referees and VAR shape narratives, often leaving teams feeling aggrieved.
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Moving Forward: Calls for Reform
Referees cracked down on holding in the box this season, leading to more penalties overall, as PGMOL chief Howard Webb predicted. Yet inconsistencies persist, eroding trust. Stakeholders demand clearer guidelines and faster VAR resolutions to minimise disputes. As the season progresses, these decisions could decide titles and relegations, urging the league to refine officiating for fairness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which team won the most penalties in the EPL 2025-26 season?
Brentford led with 7 penalties awarded, converting 5, the highest tally at the season’s midpoint.
2. Which teams conceded the most penalties this season?
Burnley and West Ham United conceded 5 penalties each, significantly impacting results and league positions.
3. Which players scored the most penalties in the Premier League this season?
Igor Thiago (Brentford) leads with 5 successful conversions out of 6 attempts.
