Ref’s vanishing act

REFEREE Michael Oliver’s vanishing spray did exactly what it said on the tin. In fact, so good was it at sticking to the product description it lasted barely a few seconds before it was gone, rendering its use pointless with walls creeping forwards before free-kicks had been taken.

On the subject of officials, they were aided by VAR — the first time it has been used for a Championship fixture this season. It was needed to confirm an early Luton goal was offside. And Elijah Adebayo confessed to it being his hand that had forced the ball home. His team-mate Jordan Clark wasn’t so honest in extra-time when he dived in an attempt to win a penalty.

Fair play to Oliver, left, who flashed a yellow card. He needed VAR five minutes from time after Luton’s Joe Taylor blocked the ball with his hand before scoring what we all thought was the winner. It would have been a huge controversy had VAR not intervened.

See, it’s not all bad.