WHAT A VARCE

Wilder fury as returning Bruce cashes in

FUMING Chris Wilder claimed VAR is sucking the life out of the game after Jonjo Shelvey’s controversial second goal last night.

Wilder’s Sheffield United players all seemed to stop when the linesman put his flag up as Shelvey ran through.

But the Newcastle star went on to slot the ball past static keeper Dean Henderson – and after a VAR check, referee Stuart Attwell gave the goal.

Wilder said: “I was told at the start of the season that the linesman would not put his flag up and let it go. He put his flag up and the referee was about to blow his whistle.

“Everyone in the ground stopped. Jonjo Shelvey even nonchalantly went up and took an opportunity.

“This game in a heartbeat has changed. I don’t know where it is going and it is sucking the life out of me and the supporters. I won’t speak to the referee. We get so many mixed messages all the time.”

A third away win of the season, which takes Newcastle up to joint ninth, was satisfying for boss Steve Bruce at the club that launched his managerial career.

The fact that a forward scored for the first time since August, with Allan SaintMaximin netting in the 15th minute, made it a real Brucie bonus.

The Toon chief made the big decision to drop £40m Joelinton and handed

Andy Carroll his first start for his hometown club in nine years.

Carroll fed off crumbs most of the night but his last act before coming off in the 72nd minute was to create the Magpies’ second.

The goal condemned Wilder’s men to their first league defeat by more than a one-goal margin in 63 games.

And confirmation of the goal by VAR was met with bewilderment and fury by the home crowd.

Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark said: “Jonjo kept on going. They are the rules now, everyone seemed to stop but Jonjo didn’t.

“The flag had gone up but everyone is told at the beginning of the season to play to the whistle.”

Saint-Maximin had opened his Toon account after Isaac Hayden had a shot charged down. The ball reached Carroll, who fed Javier Manquillo and when he delivered, Saint-Maximin outjumped Chris Basham to head home.

Oli McBurnie, a constant pest in the final third, saw a curling shot from the edge of the box dip a fraction too late.

But with Toon keeper Martin Dubravka in fine form, Wilder’s men ran out of ideas and belief long before the end.

■ HE’S A SAINT: Allan Saint-Maximin climbs high to power in the opener, while referee Stuart Attwell checks VAR (top right) before delighting Newcastle by awarding Jonjo Shelvey’s goal (bottom right)