In a season thrown with contention over innovation during matches, there was more discussion over a controversial choice when the Premier League continued with Sheffield United being denied what appeared to be a clear goal at Aston Villa.
We live in odd times and there was an “open apology” from Hawk-Eye, the goal-line innovation framework, to Sheffield United after the final whistle after a phantom goal that could demonstrate crucial in the club’s quest for European football.
It lifts United to 6th place, one point behind Manchester United who they face one week from now at Old Trafford, however, this technical mistake was inexcusable and doesn’t have the right to be viewed as a vital crossroads in this unforgettable campaign.
The fact that the Video Assistant Referee, the great any desire for the Premier League, was unable to meddle just improved the feeling of farce.
Oliver Norwood’s free-kick was clearly over the wall, Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland bungled three minutes before half-time and these two missed points may be a devastating blow when this truncated season is finally finished.
Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland flapped at a hazardous left-wing inswing cross when teammate Keinan Davis chanced upon him. Fans and intellectuals were baffled as replays appeared to show the ball had comfortably gone too far and commentators addressed why a VAR check had not been led.
Wilder said: “I have no idea whether to laugh or cry. It simply had the sentiment of a goal and that was said to me by the ref [Michael Oliver] however you have to depend on Hawk-Eye to make the choice. The feelings from both player’s sets are that it’s gone too far. We figure it should have alluded to VAR.”
Visiting manager Chris Wilder was seen half-time in the passage with ref Michael Oliver as the United supervisor attempted to see whether speculation had failed that innovation telling the arbitrator when the ball went too far through his watch.
