Semi-automatic offside technology was unavailable during Nick Woltemade's second goal against Chelsea, requiring VAR officials to manually review the decision
Newcastle's goal was given after a lengthy VAR check
Nick Woltemade's goal against Chelseawas given after a lengthy VAR check
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Semi-automatic offside technology was unavailable to determine whether Nick Woltemade had strayed offside for his second strike against Chelsea. As a result, a prolonged delay ensued while VAR officials laboured to establish the legitimacy of his effort.
The German forward, who inadvertently put through his own net during last week's clash with Sunderland, was keen to make amends against the Blues. Woltemade initially broke the deadlock within a mere four minutes before his second celebration was put on hold.
Woltemade opened the scoring for Newcastle in the opening minutes and went on to double United's lead midway through the first half.
However, there was a lengthy VAR check with Peter Bankes on video assistant referee duty for the match at St James' Park.
TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher explained after Woltemade's second goal was given as to why it took a while for the decision to be confirmed.
"The semi-automated offside was down at that point so they didn't have that technology to lean on," Fletcher said while on commentary for TNT Sports.
"Which would have speeded things up, hence it took Peter Bankes 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."
Woltemade's second goal came after the Germany international latched onto a cross from Anthony Gordon, with the check determining if the Newcastle striker was offside at the time of the delivery.
The Premier League later took to social media, writing on X: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Woltemade in an onside position. Due to technical issues, Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) wasn't available during the VAR check. The VAR was required to manually construct lines in determining this decision."
Newcastle's goal was given after a lengthy VAR check
Newcastle's second goal vs Chelsea was given after a lengthy VAR check
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Newcastle went into the half-time break with their 2-0 lead still intact, with Eddie Howe and Co. determined to secure all three points and bounce back from their defeat to Sunderland last weekend.
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