Every contentious VAR decision assessed from the PL's opening weekend

It's football, but not as we know it. The Premier League returned after a three-month absence at the weekend with new managers, signings and technology providing a multitude of talking points on match day one.

But it was the introduction of VAR which dominated the headlines as a host of decisions were debated by confused fans and pundits all struggling to come to terms with a new world of replays and delays.

There were approximately 50 checks made by VAR officials over the course of the weekend, with three of them resulting in decisions being overturned - we round up the most controversial.

LEICESTER CITY 0-0 WOLVES

Leander Dendoncker

A dull encounter came to life on 51 minutes when Leander Dendoncker rifled home inside the 18-yard box and sprinted towards the corner flag in celebration.

However, his ecstasy was short-lived as referee Andre Marriner referred the goal to VAR on suspicion of handball in the build up to the goal.

Replays showed defender Willy Boly had handled Dedoncker's original header before he fired the rebound into the back of the net.

WEST HAM 0-5 MAN CITY

Gabriel Jesus

The second half was just a few minutes old when Raheem Sterling ran through on goal and squared for Gabriel Jesus to tap home.

The Brazilian thought he'd given Manchester City a 3-0 lead but VAR ruled that Sterling was offside as he ran onto the original through ball.

The decision prompted confusion inside the stadium and on social media, as replays showed that only Sterling's shoulder was in an offside position.

Raheem Sterling

West Ham's defence failed to stop Sterling in his tracks at the London Stadium and VAR also found him too hot to handle.

The 23-year-old lofted a delicate finish over Lukasz Fabianski for his second goal of the afternoon but as he celebrated with his team-mates, the linesman flagged for the goal to be reviewed for a potential offside call.

After two minutes of waiting, the VAR team ruled that he was in fact onside, much to the dismay of Hammers fans.

Sergio Aguero

West Ham were already 3-0 down when referee Mike Dean awarded City a late penalty after Issa Diop's stray arm had felled Riyad Mahrez inside the box.

Sergio Aguero stepped up but saw his effort saved by Fabianski, which gave the home support a small something to celebrate on a dismal afternoon.

But they weren't celebrating for long as VAR ruled that Declan Rice had encroached inside the box, leaving Aguero to slot home at the second attempt.

BURNLEY 3-0 SOUTHAMPTON

With 17 minutes on the clock the contest burst into life when a Jack Stephens slip allowed Burnley to race through on goal and then square for Chris Wood to tap-in.

As Turf Moor erupted the linesman flagged for offside and the referee blew his whistle to disallow the goal.

VAR was then consulted to double check that decision and the replay confirmed the officials were correct - much to the disappointment of the home support.

WATFORD 0-3 BRIGHTON

As well as the introduction of VAR, a raft of rule changes are also testing players and officials.

Robert Pereyra smashed a free-kick into the Brighton wall on Saturday and immediately ran over to referee Craig Pawson to appeal for handball.

A new rule deems that if the ball strikes a player on the hand inside the area then a penalty must be given, regardless of intent, but Pawson was having none of it and VAR agreed with him.

CRYSTAL PALACE 0-0 EVERTON

Morgan Schneiderlin

The last thing any player wants is to start their season with a red card but Everton's Morgan Schneiderlin suffered that misfortune when he was given his marching orders for a second yellow card after tripping up Luka Milivojevic on 76 minutes.

The decision appeared crystal clear, but it still took a check of VAR to confirm his dismissal and send him trudging down the Selhurst Park tunnel and force the visitors to endure a late onslaught before holding on to a point.