In the end, there was nothing left to check bar the pressure of the ball and size of the goal. Out of play? Check complete. Foul? Check complete. Offside? Check complete.
You may argue this takes the fun out of football, but the boys in Stockley Park would have heard the roar from St James’ Park all of 300 miles away when they finally gave the green light for Anthony Gordon’s goal to be awarded. It left Arsenal and Mikel Arteta seeing red.
In fairness to VAR Andy Madley, he and his team got it right.