O’neil in a spot of despair over ‘mad’ VAR decision

GARY O’NEIL was cursing the latest controversial VAR call to go against his Wolves side.

O’neil has been no stranger to decisions going against his players this season – and this was the latest cruel blow following Oliver Norwood’s last-gasp penalty.

The Wolves boss said: “I don’t really know what to say on it apart from it’s not a penalty. I have spoken to the referee who says there is contact.

“I’ve watched it so many times, it’s minimal contact between Fabio Silva’s shin pad and George Baldock’s calf.

“If that’s a foul then there were a million fouls in that match today.

“The referee was so quick to want to give it, it’s never a clear penalty.

“He just needs to wait calmly and if he’s made a big error then VAR will let him know.”

Silva was in tears at the final whistle after he was penalised for the dramatic penalty incident in the final seconds.

O’neil added: “We can’t let these mad decisions decide things for us. We’ve lost six points because of it this season.”

Under-pressure Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom was just relieved his struggling side got their season off and running.

He said: “Our position (in the league) hasn’t changed.

“It’s time for cool heads and to understand what a battle and what a division we’re in. We need more of that.

“We got ourselves in a position to force the issue at half-time.

“We’ve been in that position a lot, at half-time and even in injury time, and not been able to get over the line so that was a big one.

“It’s about getting in a position to capitalise as much as possible.”