Furious Newcastle fans ask ‘how is that offside?’ as Elliot Anderson goal ruled out as rulebook says strike SHOULD count

NEWCASTLE fans were left fuming after Elliot Anderson saw his goal ruled out for offside despite the rulebook saying it SHOULD have counted.

The Magpies thought they had found themselves in the lead when Anderson headed home at the far post.

Sky SportsNewcastle saw a goal ruled out for offside after the ball struck Sean Longstaff[/caption]

AFPElliot Anderson could not believe his header was ruled out[/caption]

However, an apparent offside from Sean Longstaff in the build-up saw the goal ruled out by ref Paul Tierney.

Longstaff was deemed to be offside after the ball was booted against him by Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhate after Felipe’s initial attempt at a clearance.

Law 11.2 which details offside, states: “A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent.

“A ‘save’ is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).”

Former top Prem ref Mark Halsey branded the decision “nonsense.”

Halsey declared: “The offside law is an ass. It’s a nonsense decision. Surely it’s a deliberate play by Forest defender Felipe.

“The offside law is open to interpretation and Tierney has deemed it was not a deliberate play.

“But goals being ruled out for something like this does not sit right with me.”

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Angry Toon fans, including ex-star Steve Harper, took to Twitter to voice their frustration.

Harper said: “That’s a dreadful VAR decision!

“How is it offside when two Forest players have intentionally played the ball before Longstaff becomes active ?”

One user exclaimed: “How was this disallowed?

“The ball was played to Longstaff by a Notts defender!”

A second user admitted: “Someone will have to explain the rules to me, because I have no idea why that has been ruled out for offside.

“The #NFFC defender plays the ball off Longstaff, no?”

However, Newcastle were able to get their goal in the end, with Alexander Isak scoring an injury-time winner from the penalty spot.

The win moves Eddie Howe’s side to within a point of the Champions League spots.