Newcastle United’s quest for a Champions League berth faced a setback as Manchester United’s encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge concluded with a 1-0 victory for the home side. Ruben Amorim’s team had hoped for a favorable result from Manchester United to bolster their own European ambitions. However, a contentious VAR decision saw Harry Maguire’s goal ruled out for offside, leaving Newcastle’s hopes hanging in the balance.
Roy Keane said: “He’s trying but you would have to give Chelsea a little bit of credit because they’ve held their line well, very brave. Brilliant ball, absolutely amazing finish like a top striker. Very cruel. Look how tight that is. Tough to take.”
David Jones said: “Bit of shoulder. That’s all it takes these days. Offside is offside.”
Jamie Redknapp added: “Offside by the shoulder? It’s football. I’d like to see that rule changed one day and make it so it’s your feet or whatever. It doesn’t really work in the favour of the forwards because you’re always trying to lean forwards so your shoulder’s naturally going to be offside and the defender’s trying to go the other way. I would like to see it changed.”
The disallowed goal, which came after Maguire connected with a cross from Bruno Fernandes, was overturned by VAR as replays indicated Maguire’s shoulder was ahead of the last defender. This incident has reignited discussions around the offside rule, with many pundits and former players calling for changes. Jamie Redknapp’s comments echo those of Arsene Wenger, who has proposed a revision to the offside rule. Wenger’s suggestion would allow attackers to be onside if any part of their body is in line with the last outfield defender, aiming to give the benefit of the doubt to the striker in close calls.
Currently, the offside rule states that players are offside if any part of their body, excluding hands and arms, is beyond the last defender. The introduction of VAR has made these decisions more precise but also more contentious, as the technology can highlight fractional differences that were previously undetectable.
As Newcastle United continue their pursuit of a top-four finish, the debate over the offside rule and the role of VAR in modern football remains a hot topic. The decision at Stamford Bridge not only impacted the outcome of the match but also highlighted the ongoing challenges of implementing technology in the sport.
