Spurs’ 6-1 FA Cup fifth-round replay win over Rochdale at a snow-covered Wembley on Wednesday night saw a series of first-half Video Assistant Referee controversies before the winter weather continued to take its toll on the game.
While fans braved the frozen conditions, the VAR system intervened, perhaps needlessly, in several decisions and seemed to take an age to reach a conclusion in each case.
The home side initially thought they opened the scoring when Erik Lamela slotted home, only to see the goal ruled out several minutes later because of a supposed foul by Fernando Llorente in the build-up.
Son Heung-min’s penalty was then disallowed after the Tottenham midfielder halted midway through his run up.
Snow continued to fall throughout the game and had to be cleared at regular intervals in addition to the not inconsiderable efforts before kick-off.
Interest was immense after a crazy first-half and these were the best of the snow and VAR jokes from the Spurs vs Rochdale debacle:
State of that pitch! #Rochdale should insist on it being re-laid#TOTROC pic.twitter.com/hGXfGJ6rKq
— Craig (@Rochdale_Cowboy) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/MrJGeldard/status/968960234944434177
http://twitter.com/stephenpay444/status/968961437359132673
'Activate it' #TOTROC pic.twitter.com/DM1wttck7Y
— RB (@ReeceBennett_) February 28, 2018
The ref everytime Tottenham score a goal…. #TOTROC #bbcfacup pic.twitter.com/DKgbGmMcIl
— Marwan Nawaz (@MarwanNawaz) February 28, 2018
This ref is why we shouldn't give schoolteachers guns…. #TOTROC
— Tommy (@TommyE1992) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/rubyXwheeler/status/968943942111846402
https://twitter.com/DanHogan91/status/968943751455535104
There are people on the pitch. They think it’s all over! It is snow. #bbcfootball #TOTROC pic.twitter.com/8sMpxWNvtN
— Adam McEvoy (@80McEvoy) February 28, 2018
trying to find the yellow ball like…. #TOTROC pic.twitter.com/zfe6qS8ohq
— TᕼEᒪOᑎIOᑌᔕ (@TheloniousFilth) February 28, 2018
Love how the lines of the entire Wembley pitch can be cleared quicker than they can make a #VAR decision. #TOTROC
— SPURdy (@Pudsey77) February 28, 2018
You can’t see the lines – how will Dele Alli know where to fall? #TOTROC
— Kate Wood (@kt2505) February 28, 2018
Referee using vanishing spray in the snow. #TOTROC pic.twitter.com/Ze1KHmBExm
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) February 28, 2018
The second half is showing that VAR is perfectly fine as long as you don’t use it. #TOTROC
— Liquid Spurs (@LiquidSpurs) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/claire1smith/status/968961618724950016
https://twitter.com/UNILADFooty/status/968945187283226624
The range of feelings VAR seems to be giving fans right now…#TOTROC #FACup pic.twitter.com/xUQwy3gKFp
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Alphaserpent369/status/968947442262728705
Latest Score:
Tottenham 1 – 2 VAR#TOTROC
— Dan Tracey (@dantracey1983) February 28, 2018
I’ve checked the #VAR and it turns out Sissoko is still the worst player on the pitch #TOTROC pic.twitter.com/LKwC0Rg8Lc
— Si Barry (@SiBarry81) February 28, 2018
Sissoko should stay out on the pitch at half time and build a snowman as it would be more useful doing that than playing for Spurs in this game. #TOTROC
— brianobrien91 (@brianobrien91) February 28, 2018
A behind the scenes look at VAR…. #VAR #TOTROC #FACup pic.twitter.com/ShwbWnOr8I
— Alan Fawbert (@alanavf7) February 28, 2018
All we need now is for VAR to postpone the game.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/da_judge/status/968963788207722496
"Don't mind me" ❄️#TOTROC #FACup pic.twitter.com/Ergh8g8nql
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) February 28, 2018