Ballover..

AS TECHNOLOGY FAILS TO AWARD NORWOOD FIRST-HALF GOAL

Rookie striker Keinan Davis, a surprise Villa starter, used all of his strength and muscle to bully the Blades.

But he headed a great firsthalf chance over from almost underneath the crossbar, centre-back Kortney Hause also wasted a close-range chance, while fit-again John Mcginn was denied by a super save from Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Whether the whole thing was quite as engrossing for armchair viewers watching on TV at home is another matter, but at least they would have got instant replays of the night’s biggest talking point. That came after 42 minutes when Norwood swung over a free-kick.

Nyland went up to catch the ball, collided with teammate Davis and carried the ball back over his goal-line.

United’s players screamed goal, Nyland did his best to carry on as if nothing had happened, got himself back on the right side of the goal line and threw it forward.

Oliver’s watch did not go off. The reality is that goalline technology has been so reliable that Oliver probably did not realise anything was wrong and, as soon as another free-kick was given, VAR can no longer step in. The moment was gone. It was strangely entertaining to see United’s data analysts watch the TV replays and then rush down to join the protests.

But just over three months on, another controversial moment made it feel like football had never been away. the action, football has always been a bit like the Saturday night lottery draw.

For all the whistles, bells and razzmatazz, all anyone is ever interested in are the numbers.

So it was here at the start of this brave new world. The arm bumps between Chris Wilder, Dean Smith (below) and the respective backroom staffs were no different to what we were all doing before the lockdown.

The Blades’ pre-match huddle, however, will have confused viewers told beforehand that goals would be celebrated in isolation.

There also seemed little point in the two teams lining up pre-match to face the empty stands. And the minute’s silence, in tribute to those affected by the coronavirus, sadly felt more like 20 seconds.

But then that tribute. Executed to perfection.

The game felt like a cross between a pre-season friendly and a regional schools cup final.

The crowd noise worked. Even if the noise operator at times had the touch of a Twister competitor.

The action flowed courtesy of those disinfected spare balls around the pitch perimeter.

The only ball that should have counted, however, was the one so far over the line it bulged the side netting.

You prepare for everything and then Hawkeye goes AWOL.

JONJO SHELVEY says three training sessions a day during lockdown will help him add even more goals to his game.

The Toon playmaker (above) netted five times before the season stopped, making it the best goals campaign of his career.

Shelvey is in “great shape” according to boss Steve Bruce, and at the top of the running stats during the lockdown.

He ran before breakfast, hit the gym, ran in the afternoon, and had a swim before his evening meal to stay in top condition.

Ahead of Newcastle’s season resuming, Shelvey said: “Me and my brotherin-law would go out running in the morning then go and have some breakfast, then the gym around lunchtime. Then do the gym again in the afternoon and before dinner a swim.

“I have scored five so far and there is more to come.”

The former Liverpool star said he cannot wait for Newcastle’s home clash with Sheffield United on Sunday but will miss spectators.

“I’ll miss fans for what they bring to stadiums,” he said.

“I can’t see it getting back to normality for a while yet with fans in the stadiums so we will have to suck it up and try to win while they watch on telly.”