Keith Hackett: ‘Definite’ Callum Wilson high foot as Newcastle beat Birmingham
Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson would have seen his goal in their FA Cup fourth round win over Birmingham City checked by VAR and likely cleared, says Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official told Football Insider that it is however still likely the goal would have been allowed to stand.
Newcastle enjoyed an excellent week, sweeping aside Arsenal to reach the League Cup final on Wednesday (5 February).
They then followed that up on Saturday (8 February) with a 3-2 win over League One leaders Birmingham to confirm their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
However, that victory at St Andrew’s was not without controversy for Eddie Howe‘s in-form side.
Newcastle United goal verdict issued after Birmingham City complaint
It was the hosts who had taken the lead less than a minute into that clash with Newcastle at the weekend.
However, Newcastle equalised controversially against Birmingham through Joe Willock when his shot was judged to have crossed the line, with no goal-line technology to issue an official confirmation.
The visitors then went in front five minutes later, when Wilson turned the ball in from close range following a goalmouth scramble.
Speaking while commentating on the game for BBC Sport, Guy Mowbray suggested there some appeals from Birmingham about the high boot from Wilson to reach the ball.
Hackett however, believes while that may have been checked had VAR been in operation, it is unlikely the goal would have been overturned.
Callum Wilson relieved as FA Cup goal allowed to stand
Speaking to Football Insider about those suggestions of complaints from Birmingham when Wilson scored that goal, the former referee said:
“There was definitely a high foot there’s no question about that, it could quite easily have been penalised, I think the only thing that has saved him is the distance between the boot and the movement of the goalkeeper away from it rather than to it.
“So I think first of all, I don’t the referee’s got the ideal view on this at all, I don’t think the assistant referee’s got the ideal view, and I think this would have gone to VAR to clarify.
“Now, given what I’ve seen, I don’t think the goal would have been ruled out and I’m satisfied that goal’s ok.”
Having been out of the starting lineup for so long with injury, this goal will have meant a lot to Wilson given the questions emerging around his future with his Newcastle contract expiring in the summer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are now sweating on another injury scare after defender Dan Burn was forced off later on in that win at St Andrew’s.