'Not even close' – Derby fans fume as Norwich goal allowed in huge blunder by officials

Today at 08:49 AM

Derby fans have been left incensed after Norwich’s opening goal stood despite the ball clearly going out of play.

The Canaries took the lead just before half time, but the ball had clearly gone out of play beyond the byline before Josh Sargent crossed it in for Borja Sainz to fire home.

Sargent had been charging forward with the ball, but was intercepted by Derby’s goalkeeper and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Eiran Cashin as he came through the box.

However, the ball bounced on with Sargent picking it back up – only it had definitely gone out of play.

The United States international still passed the ball across, with Sainz then poking home.

Derby fans behind the goal screamed for it to be disallowed, but the officials let it stand.

“The ball went almost a yard out of play ahead of Norwich’s opener against Derby,” one fan wrote on X. “EFL referees are at it again.”

Another said: “Well done @EFL officials and referees. They've just allowed a goal for Norwich against Derby from this pass. I mean, it's not even close!

“That’s awful!”

Even Norwich’s official X account appeared to hint at the crazy decision.

“A lovely finish,” they wrote with an upside down smiley face emoji alongside a clip of the goal.

They also wrote: “Absolutely no idea what happened after Sarge’s first effort is saved but the ball’s in the net and we lead.”

Boos rang round Pride Park as the sides went in for half time.

Norwich sit seventh in the league at the time of writing, whilst newly promoted Derby are in 11th place.