Wolves did not go down to ten men, nor did Newcastle receive a penalty, following a coming together between Harvey Barnes and Yerson Mosquera.
Harvey Barnes and Yerson Mosquera collided while the scores were still 0-0.
(Image: Getty Images)
Two former Premier League referees disagree over whether Newcastle United should have played against a ten-man Wolves team for most of Saturday's match.
The controversy in question came after 21 minutes at St James' Park game when Harvey Barnes ran in behind the Wolves backline on to a long ball over the top. Just as the winger was about to make contact with the bouncing ball, he collided with opposition defender Yerson Mosquera, before both fell inside the penalty area.
VAR checked the incident, but play continued rather than any action following. Dermot Gallagher in turn assessed the decision on Sky Sports show Ref Watch.
"I think it's a foul and a yellow card, but it's not in the penalty area," the former FIFA-listed referee said, reiterating: "But I don't think it's a penalty."
"Barnes is not in possession of the ball. Definitely foul, but just a yellow card."
However, ex-PGMOL general manager, Keith Hackett, spoke in amazement that a red card was not forthcoming. "This is amazing for me because this is a foul," he told Football Insider. "There's no question.
"Looking at the position of the foul and the defenders, had that challenge not taken place, Barnes would have had a shot on goal. That is a clear red card."
Hackett, turning attention to the video assistant referee, continued. "I do not understand where VAR was in that situation. There's a new guy, Timothy Wood, an ex police officer, in the VAR room. Clearly, [Howard] Webb is trying new faces.
"You might question the chances of controlling the ball, but knowing Barnes, had that foul not taken place, he would have controlled it and had a shot at goal.
"The decision should have been, was the incident inside or outside of the penalty area? [The referee, Chris] Kavanagh's been hugely let down here."
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