Goal-line technology fail! Hawk-Eye apologise after stunning incident denies Sheffield United

Orjan Nyland back peddled after catching Oliver Norwood’s floating free-kick, with replays clearly showing the ball had crossed the line.

The Sheffield United players immediately protested – as did their Twitter account – but referee Michael Oliver’s watch did not react and play continued.

VAR still could have intervened and spared the technology’s blushes but no review was ordered.

And the situation was made even more extraordinary when reports surfaced that Oliver’s watch had gone off – during half-time.

It was the (supposedly flawless) system’s first error since its introduction in the Premier League in 2013 and happened because all the Hawk-Eye cameras were blocked off, either by the goalkeeper, defender or post, which has not occurred in over 9,000 matches.