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Five of the Best: Goal-line gaffes that will never be forgotten

FA Cup RSS / / 16 April 2012 /

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Juan Mata celebrates after scoring Chelsea's controversial second goal

Juan Mata celebrates after scoring Chelsea's controversial second goal

"The ball did indeed cross the line off the unfortunate John Eustace, albeit wide of the post."

If history tells us anything, Juan Mata's ghost goal probably won't bring about the introduction of goal-line technology, so instead of bleating about it, here are more of those moments that get managers spitting blood...

John Eustace, Watford v Reading, (September 2008)
Referees are always going to get it wrong from time to time but it's the magnitude of the mistake that really irks. It's traditionally a given that goal-line incidents relate to those when the ball goes between the posts. Not so, said referee Stuart Attwell and linesman Nigel Bannister. After pinball in the Watford penalty area, the ball did indeed cross the line off the unfortunate John Eustace, albeit wide of the post. Attwell however, saw it rather differently, awarding the goal after consultation with his official. Needless to say, the Watford players didn't take too kindly to the decision.

Freddie Sears, Bristol City v Crystal Palace, (August 2009)
Poor old Freddie Sears thought he had ended an 18-month goal drought, firing home from close range. Sadly for West Ham's one-time goal machine, the ball ricocheted back off the stanchion and back into play, convincing referee Rob Shoebridge to rule out the goal. The decision prompted the mild-mannered Neil Warnock to demand Shoebridge be banned for a year. He wasn't, and Sears has scored just three times since.

Jonathan Howard, Middlesbrough v Chesterfield, (April 1997)
The then third division Spireites had somehow reached the last four of the FA Cup and were 2-1 to the good against Boro. When the ball broke to Howard in the box, his shot cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar and behind the line. But referee David Elleray was having none of it and waved play on. The unforgettable encounter ended in a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes, before Chesterfield lost out 3-0 in the replay.

Pedro Mendes, Manchester United v Tottenham, (April 2005)
The Portuguese midfielder tried his luck from just inside the opposition half and an obviously surprised Roy Carroll managed to bundle ball over his own line, before scrambling to retrieve it. With neither Clattenburg nor his assistant anywhere near the goalmouth, Manchester United and Carroll escaped. It's fair to say both Carroll and Clattenburg have had better evenings.

Clint Hill, Bolton v QPR, (March 2012)
In a massive six-pointer at the foot of the Premier League, QPR were convinced they had broken the deadlock. Clint Hill met Joey Barton's corner and though goalkeeper Adam Bogdan belatedly clawed the ball away, replays showed the entire ball had clearly crossed the line. QPR went on to lose 2-1, prompting Barton to tweet: "Big decisions all wrong. Ref saying 'don't blame us blame the FA for not having goal line technology!' Sort of sums it all up!"

After Chelsea's lucky break in the semi-final, will the Blues go on to lift the FA Cup? Roberto Di Matteo's side are [1.74] to see off Liverpool in the final.

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