Latest Chelsea news as Nick Woltemade scores from a tight angle with semi-automated technology down during the VAR check
13:03, 20 Dec 2025Updated 13:21, 20 Dec 2025
Nick Woltemade
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Nick Woltemade scored from a tight angle(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
The reason behind the delay in awarding Newcastle United's second goal against Chelsea has been revealed.
The Blues were taking on the Magpies at St James' Park in the Premier League's Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Nick Woltemade had put Newcastle in front in the opening minutes, and went on to double the home side's lead against Chelsea midway through the first half.
However, there was a lengthy VAR check to see if Woltemade was offside when Anthony Gordon provided the cross for the Germany international.
Now it has been confirmed that the VAR's semi-automated offside technology was not working at the time of the check.
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The match was broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK, with commentator Darren Fletcher confirming that the technology used to check offsides was "down" at the time of the check for Woltemade's goal.
"The semi-automated offside was down at that point so they didn't have that technology to lean on," Fletcher said.
"Which would have speeded things up, hence it took Peter Bankes (VAR referee) in the VAR room longer to work it out so that's just a bit of an explanation.
"Whether you like that kind of thing or not that's the reason why it took longer."
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Both Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto had chances to get on the score sheet before Newcastle got their second of the match.
The early minutes of the game saw Robert Sanchez get a yellow card from referee Andy Madley, after the Chelsea goalkeeper complained to the official about the game not being stopped while Malo Gusto was on the ground with a potential injury.
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