The FA have verified that goal-line technology was not in use during Newcastle United’s FA Cup fourth round 3-2 victory over Birmingham City.

Ethan Laird gave the League One team a surprise lead just 40 seconds into the game, scoring after a corner kick. Joe Willock then controversially equalised before Callum Wilson put the visitors ahead two minutes later.

Tomoki Iwata scored from 25 yards out to level the score for the hosts at the end of a frantic first half. Both teams sought a winning goal after the interval, and it was Newcastle who secured it when Willock netted his second of the evening with eight minutes remaining.

However, it was the midfielder’s first goal that made headlines due to doubts about whether it had actually crossed the line. Blues goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell found himself behind his line after closing down on Wilson before the striker passed the ball to Willock.

But it seemed he had recovered and caught the ball before it fully crossed the line. Assistant referee Nigel Lugg immediately started waving his flag to signal a goal. While Lugg was certain the ball had crossed the line, replays cast doubt on the decision, causing widespread confusion.
The FA have confirmed to Mirror Football that goal-line technology was not in operation at St Andrew’s. The absence of VAR in Birmingham’s FA Cup match against Newcastle – due to their League One status – meant the calls were made without the technology, despite the club’s recent Championship history.

Lugg’s verdict turned out to be pivotal and sparked controversy, as pointed out by ex-Everton midfielder Leon Osman during a Radio 5 Live broadcast. “The assistant referee flagged really early as if he has given the goal,” he said.

Despite the contentious moment around his disallowed goal, Willock chose to direct attention towards his own game when speaking with BBC Sport: “I was just trying to give my best. It has not been an easy season for me, I’ve been waiting for my chance to push on and hopefully this is the start of the rest of my season.
“It’s very exciting times. It’s not an easy place to come to, we want to thank the fans. Hopefully we can go one better this time in the Carabao Cup [final] and far in this competition.”