Did Sheffield United receive the same VAR instructions as Newcastle?

Speaking after Jonjo Shelvey appeared to suggest referee Stuart Attwell had told him he would allow moves adjudged offside by his assistants to unfold before being scrutinised by VAR ahead of Newcastle’s game against Sheffield United, Chris Wilder failed to confirm if the official had relayed to the same instructions to his own players.
Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. P
Danny Lawson/PA Wire.Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. P
Danny Lawson/PA Wire.
Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. P Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

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.

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Although 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.”

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Sheffield 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.