"Has there ever been a better advert for the video assistant referee (VAR)? Newcastle's 3-1 FA Cup fourth round win at Aston Villa was full of controversy with VAR once again the big talking point - even though it wasn't even in use. For this season and the previous FA Cup campaign, it has not been used until the fifth round, with many fans looking forward to a return to football without interruptions from technology."
"But referee Chris Kavanagh will have been wishing he had VAR to fall back on at Villa Park after an offside opener for the hosts, a blatant penalty for the visitors not awarded, plus at least three other controversial decisions that could have affected the outcome. Ultimately, Newcastle - who were on the wrong end of the majority of the decisions - progressed, but manager Eddie Howe couldn't hide his disappointment with the officials."
"Howe said: "There is a lot to take in. The overriding feeling is that we are really pleased to be through. "It felt like it was one of those games that every decision was going against us. Of course it isn't intentional but it was just one of those things that you have to accept. "Our players did well to control their emotions and not get themselves sent off for something. It did feel strange.""
Newcastle defeated Aston Villa 3-1 in an FA Cup fourth-round tie marked by disputed officiating. VAR was not used because it is implemented only from the fifth round this season and the previous one. Referee Chris Kavanagh oversaw several contentious calls, including an offside goal awarded to Villa, a clear penalty for Newcastle not given, and additional decisions that could have altered the result. Newcastle progressed despite feeling aggrieved and manager Eddie Howe expressed disappointment while praising his players for controlling their emotions. Villa also suffered a straight red for goalkeeper Marco Bizot and can contest an offside on Newcastle's equaliser.
Read at www.bbc.com
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