Kai Havertz remained on the field after a VAR review of a high challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu during Arsenal’s 1–0 win over Burnley. The referee issued a yellow card at the scene, but the incident was reviewed by VAR and no further sanction was applied. Havertz was substituted a few minutes later.

According to the Premier League Match Centre , Havertz’s foul on Ugochukwu was reviewed but it was decided that the challenge did not constitute serious foul play. The decision prompted strong reaction from pundits and the opposing bench. Gary Neville described the contact as “vicious,” while also offering a fuller assessment of the incident: “He is miles away from the ball,” Neville reflected. “I don’t like that. The height of it and the fact it is on the standing leg.

“I don’t think [the decision] is right. He is a lucky boy.”

Burnley interim manager Mike Jackson said he was stunned the challenge did not result in a red card. “It is a red card,” said Jackson. “It is dangerous, he is leaving the floor, and it is a cynical foul to break up play. We are disappointed it wasn’t given because it changes the game for the last 20 minutes in our favor.

The outcome followed another contentious VAR moment for Arsenal a week earlier, when a late West Ham equalizer from Callum Wilson was ruled out after VAR identified a foul on goalkeeper David Raya moments beforehand. That decision, and the choice to keep Havertz on the pitch, have combined to produce two consecutive matches in which Arsenal benefited from VAR interventions.

Officials judged Havertz’s challenge on Ugochukwu did not meet the threshold for serious foul play, so the on-field yellow stood. The judgment settled the immediate disciplinary question, but reactions from both pundits and Burnley’s camp ensured the incident will be discussed beyond the final whistle.

Only in 2022–23 were there more managerial changes in the Premier League than during the current campaign. Clubs have cycled through coaches as pressure and expectation rose, producing a chaotic season that has lacked continuity across the division. Below is a condensed assessment of the dismissals and how well they stacked up against the circumstances described during the term.

Nottingham Forest: Evangelos Marinakis dismissed Nuno Espírito Santo after just three matches despite the Portuguese coach having secured a surprise Europa League berth the previous campaign. Forest had four points from the opening matches, but Nuno’s public fallout with Marinakis sealed his fate. Supporters were furious; few departures have been less justified in recent years.

Forest (again): Sean Dyche arrived with Forest 18th and left having lifted them to 16th and into the Europa League knockout stage. The football was not always inspiring, but results improved. Just 114 days after his hiring, Dyche was fired, despite the club being 12th based on results under him and his nomination for Manager of the Month in January.

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca left by “mutual consent,” with the club saying a change was necessary. He had delivered the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup in his debut term and returned Chelsea to the Champions League, but progress stalled. Maresca departed on New Year’s Day with Chelsea eighth; his discussions with Manchester City and public disappointment over transfer dealings appeared damaging.

Chelsea (second): Liam Rosenior was promoted after Maresca and won eight of his first 11 games, but internal rumblings and motivational approaches—earning the nickname ‘LinkedIn Liam’—coincided with a drop in results. BlueCo dismissed him after 104 days.

Burnley: Scott Parker could not avoid relegation, the Clarets going down with four matches remaining and just six wins all season. Parker’s exit was described as inevitable given a weak squad following a poor transfer window.

West Ham: Graham Potter lasted 25 matches after being appointed in January 2025 and won 24% of his games, the lowest return of his career. The club sacked him after a dire start that left them 18th.

Manchester United: Ruben Amorim’s debut season finished with United 15th, the club’s lowest Premier League era position, and his changes to formation and subsequent poor performances led to his January dismissal. Michael Carrick has since served as interim head coach.

Tottenham: Thomas Frank initially steadied results, winning four of five early matches and beating Manchester City, but injuries and poor form dragged the club into a relegation fight and he was fired in February. Igor Tudor was then appointed in March, lost five of seven matches, and was removed after heavy defeats including a 3-0 loss to Forest; his spell was one of the shortest and most catastrophic in the period described.

Burnley have confirmed that manager Scott Parker has left the club, with the departure described as “by mutual consent.” The decision followed last week’s defeat to Manchester City, a result that mathematically confirmed relegation and prompted discussions between Parker and Burnley’s hierarchy about his future.

“The Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Scott for his professionalism, dedication and contribution,” a statement read. “He leaves with the respect and gratitude of everyone connected with Burnley Football Club.”

The club has appointed Mike Jackson as interim manager for the final four league fixtures of the season. Jackson previously took temporary charge at Turf Moor in April 2022 following Sean Dyche’s exit, overseeing an immediate run of 10 points from four games which earned him the Premier League manager of the month award.

There is recognition inside the club that Jackson would need an even more impressive sequence of results to be considered for the permanent position. It appears as though Steven Gerrard is leading that race.

Gerrard was thought to be “of interest” to Burnley’s owners before the decision to part ways with Parker was made. Now that his compatriot has been moved on, the Daily Mail claim that the retired England captain is the “favorite” for the vacant post.

The Liverpool midfielder-turned-manager last held a job in senior management 15 months ago with Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League. His only previous experience of senior management in English soccer came during an 11-month spell at Aston Villa.

With relegation confirmed and four fixtures remaining, Burnley will spend the closing weeks of the 2025/26 season under interim leadership while the club evaluates long-term options. The outcome of those matches and the internal selection process will determine whether Jackson is considered for a full-time role or if the reported interest in Gerrard progresses.