Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final victory was delayed by VAR.
The Magpies faced an agonising wait in stoppage time, as officials determined whether or not Federico Chiesa was onside for Liverpool’s goal.
After initially being flagged offside, VAR overturned the decision as Liverpool threatened to extend Newcastle United’s trophy drought.
Fortunately, Eddie Howe’s side survived to win 2-1 as Newcastle United lifted the Carabao Cup.
Stoppage time was unbearable, but the Magpies held on for victory.
How VAR helped Newcastle United against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final
It nearly was not to be, but former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has suggested that VAR actually helped Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
Clattenburg, who is a Newcastle United fan, has admitted on The Overlap Fan Debate that the lengthy delay in stoppage time derailed Liverpool’s momentum and gave Eddie Howe’s players the chance to ‘regroup’.
“I’ll always say it [VAR] is killing the emotion of the game,” he said.
“That Liverpool player [Federico Chiesa] should be allowed to celebrate his goal, even though he doesn’t really want to celebrate because he wants to get the ball back to the halfway line.
“That critical moment suited Newcastle, in a way. Liverpool were just inserting a bit of pressure, and the pressure has just been released by that VAR decision. It allowed Newcastle to regroup. It was probably benefitting Newcastle, not Liverpool.”
Clattenburg is right about Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup final heroics
While Newcastle were deserving winners of the Carabao Cup, there was a fear that they were going to throw it all away in stoppage time.
Chiesa’s goal added doubt, but the Magpies were able to see the game out and get over the line.
Clattenburg makes a very good point about the VAR decision actually helping Newcastle.
While it gave Liverpool a goal and a route back into the game, the length of time it took derailed their momentum. Chiesa hit the back of the net in the 94th minute, but play did not actually resume for another three minutes.
The Newcastle players were able to compose themselves, and they saw out the final few minutes expertly. Liverpool never got close to Nick Pope’s goal, as Howe’s side held on.
Now this Newcastle United team are legends, while fans are calling for Eddie Howe to receive a statue at St James’ Park.
