Sheffield United fume after being denied goal as Aston Villa’s Nyland carries ball over line
Referee Michael Oliver pointed to his watch to indicate goal-line technology had not signalled a goal
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The Premier League picked up where it left off on Wednesday evening as controversy over technology overshadowed the first half action between Aston Villa and Sheffield United.
In the first match of the league’s resumption since it was halted by the coronavirus pandemic, Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to fall behind his own goal-line while holding the ball to his chest, following a cross by the Blades’ Oliver Norwood.
Sheffield United players appealed as Nyland sunk into the side-netting behind his left-hand goalpost, before hauling himself up and out of his the goalmouth, but referee Michael Oliver pointed to his watch to indicate that goal-line technology had not detected the whole ball crossing the whole of the goal-line.
Sky Sports reported that Oliver’s watch only indicated a goal once he had returned to the dressing room at half-time, with the score 0-0, suggesting a technological fault with the usually reliable goal-line technology system run by Hawk-Eye.
It was confirmed to have been fixed for the second half, but that was little consolation to Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder, who could be seen confronting Oliver in the dressing room.
Moments later the Blades tweeted: “Really?”
Premier League players reacted with dismay on social media as the top-flight’s return was overshadowed by a major error of goal-line technology. Several players from other clubs watching at home on television tweeted their shock.
West Ham United and England midfielder Declan Rice simply tweeted: “Shambles,” a sentiment which was echoed exactly by the Norwich City goalkeeper Tim Krul.
Some players called for the video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene, including Rice’s West Ham teammate, Aaron Cresswell, who tweeted: “What’s going on here???? VAR? Goal line technology?” Rice added: “Wait... i thought this is what VAR was brought in for ?!? Blatantly over the line????”
Fleetwood Town manager and former Premier League player Joey Barton also questioned the role of VAR. He tweeted: “Don’t get why VAR hasn’t stepped in? That not a clear and obvious error?”
But others saw the funny side. “Not over the line,” tweeted Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, alongside a laughing emoji. Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster wrote: “Looked like a good save to me... Was never over the line.. #gkunion.”
Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham said: “Can someone explain to me how that hasn’t been given as a goal?” And after Sky Sports confirmed the technology had been fixed at half-time, his teammate Steve Cook settled the matter, tweeting: “Don’t worry it’s working second half.”
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