Did Sheffield United receive the same VAR instructions as Newcastle?
Shelvey scored the visitors’ second goal of a 2-0 win when United, who dominated the majority of the game, stopped after spotting a flag had been raised as the midfielder headed towards their penalty area.
Dean Henderson also made no attempt to prevent Shelvey rolling the ball into his net but the effort was allowed to stand after being analysed by Andre Marriner at Stockley Park.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAlthough the decision was correct, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce later expressed his sympathy for United by questioning whether the assistant should have intervened.
Wilder said: “We were told at the start of the season that the linesman would keep his flag down. Even Jonjo didn’t give me the impression he knew, it was a token effort.
“The linesman needs to learn a lesson to keep his flag down. There’s a lot a professional footballer has to do to make it in the Premier League; technically, tactically, mentally, physically and the rest. A linesman just has to keep his flag down.”
United have found themselves on the wrong end of a number of VAR calls since being promoted last season and Wilder added: “We’ve gone through two many harsh lessons with this. We’ll have to have a word with the players. But we seem to be having lots of harsh lessons with this. People say it evens itself out. I’m looking forward to that.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSheffield United: Henderson, Basham (L Freeman 74), Egan, O’Connell, Stevens, Baldock, Norwood (McGoldrick 72), Fleck, Lundstram, Sharp (Mousset 62), McBurnie. Not used: Moore, Robinson, Jagielka, Besic.
Newcastle United: Dubravka, Clark, Dummett, Carroll (Joelinton 72), Shelvey, Saint-Maximin (Atsu 80), Hayden, Willems, Fernandez, Manquillo, Almiron (Krafth 88). Not used: Darlow, Schar, Gayle, Longstaff.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
Attendance: 30,409.