Some Sheffield United fans have been left fuming after a VAR decision saw Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United seal a 2-0 win over Chris Wilder’s men on Thursday evening.
While Allan Saint-Maximin scored a first-half goal after a brilliant Javier Manquillo cross, it was the second goal that drew controversy. Andy Carroll had managed flick on Jonjo Shelvey, who was successful in scoring. While the goal was checked, Dean Henderson had stopped and so had the other Sheffield United players (BBC).
This has left Blades’ fans mad about why the play wasn’t stopped as it left the players confused. And Twitter went ablaze with Sheffield fans expressing their unhappiness about the decision to give Shelvey the goal.
Sheffield United fans: Was it the right call to give the Shelvey goal?
Can't complain about it
VAR is a farce
VAR has ruinied football, flag was already up and everybody had stopped absolute joke #twitterblades #SUFC
— Grace Hession (@hession_grace) December 5, 2019
I agree we should play to the whistle, BUT, every single offside was blown last night apart from the one which cost us the second goal. VAR is a mess and needs a serious rethink in the @premierleague but everyone seems to have their head in the sand with it! #twitterblades #sufc
— Nathan Taylor (@NTY_1106) December 6, 2019
First time in a hell of a long time I can’t face putting either @talkSPORT or @SkySportsNews on today. Sick to death of VAR ruining our matchday experiences. It’s becoming like a computer game to keep armchair fans happy. It’s killing the game @premierleague #VAR
— Brett Gregory (@brett1889sufc) December 6, 2019
The bit I still don’t get about this VAR nonsense…what happens last night if Hendo saves JOS effort but ball remains in play? Does ref blow up at this point or does play continue as if lino flag isn’t up? Also why is the ref pointing at the lino? #sufc
— James State (@Stateside84) December 6, 2019
Brilliant first half but 75% possession and 3/4 clear-cut chances meant the game should have been put to bed by half time. VAR nonsense again which killed the game and heads went down. Got to more ruthless in front of goal.#twitterblades #sufc
— MazMarriott (@maz_marriott82) December 6, 2019
VAR is destroying the beautiful game (at least in its current format) so why aren’t footballers and their union and everyone else in the sport taking action? Just talking is not enough, take action to get it changed or kicked out #sufc #footballtwitter #VAR https://t.co/1IjePw0fv5
— Daz Vickers(@DazBlade1) December 6, 2019
The defeat to the Magpies saw the Blades slip down to ninth in the Premier League table, but they are currently only two points behind sixth-placed Manchester United and four points behind fifth-placed Wolves (Premier League website).
This was their first loss at home in four games, but the club has lost as many as four home games so far this season. But when it comes to away games, the Blades haven’t lost a single game in that regard. They have won a single home game, drawing six.
But Wilder’s newly-promoted side have conceded 15 goals this season – the third-best in the Premier League this season. But they have only scored 17 goals – the fifth-lowest in the division. They are now tied in the table with the Magpies and Arsenal, but ahead of them on goal difference.
What do we think?
The Blades’ home form is a concern. They are tough to break down away from home, as they have let in only six goals away from home – one more than Leicester City and Liverpool. But it is goalscoring that is the problem for them. That is an area they need to improve in, as the season wears on.
Lys Mousset is their highest scorer, with just five goals, whilst John Lundstram has scored three times too. But these numbers need to go up.