Sheffield United 1-3 Nottingham Forest: Visitors finally have a helping hand from VAR and take huge step towards Premier League survival as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s brace seals crucial three points

Chris Wilder appeared to suggest that the match officials had been influenced by Nottingham Forest’s VAR complaints when they opted to allow Ryan Yates’ goal early in the second half.

The hearts of the bunch were in their mouths after Ryan Yates hit home a volley early in the second half as VAR Michael Salisbury checked for a foul by Murillo on Ben Brereton-Diaz.

Yet the goal stood, Forest led 2-1 and secured the points when Callum Hudson-Odoi claimed his second of the match – as already relegated Sheffield United became the first team to concede 100 goals in a 38-match league season .

The win put Forest three points clear of Luton and within striking distance of safety.

Forest have been furious with VAR all season and were accused of misconduct over the explosive post on X that followed the defeat to Everton last month when they thought they had been denied three penalties.

Callum Hudson-Odoi cut inside and bent the ball past Wes Foderingham to seal the win

The club, manager Nuno Espirito Santo and defender Neco Williams were accused of misconduct but asked about the second goal, Blades boss Wilder said:

‘It’s a violation, isn’t it? He puts both hands in his back, Ben Brereton Diaz doesn’t just fall down.

‘He pushes him. I’ll let you put two and two together.

I think it’s a pretty easy and comfortable decision for everyone because of the situation.”

Sheffield United striker Ben Brereton Diaz scored the opening goal from the penalty spot

Callum Hudson-Odoi equalized for Nottingham Forest in the 27th minute with a brilliant strike

Midfielder Ryan Yates put the visitors ahead just after half-time with a clinical strike

Sheffield United missed a large number of chances in the first half against Nottingham Forest

Sheffield United striker Cameron Archer was denied from close range by goalkeeper Matz Sels

When asked specifically if he was referring to Forest’s problems with officials, Wilder said: ‘I’ll let you decide that situation.

‘I won’t get carried away in that debate.

‘A mistake is a mistake, whether it’s a push on any part of the field.

‘For me it’s a foul, people tell me the game has moved on, you could say Ben needs to be stronger but there’s no need for him to go down like that, you can see he’s got two hands behind his back .

‘They score from that chance and we are down 2-1.’

Victory over Chelsea next weekend will all but secure safety for Forest, especially if their appeal against the four-point penalty imposed for breaching spending rules is successful.

If Forest get even one point back it will strengthen their position enormously, especially with Burnley losing and Luton only drawing in this round.

Hudson-Odoi also scored a beauty in the first half to cancel out Brereton-Diaz’s opener from the penalty spot and to make matters worse, the home side’s Anel Ahmedhodzic was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time as his team was booed.

“It’s a big step, but we still have two games to go,” said boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who criticized his team’s first-half performance.

‘It is a very important step.

‘When there was a delay before the second goal was awarded, my fear was at the highest level.

‘The referee didn’t interfere with the result, which is important.’

Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off just before the whistle for a second bookable offence