NUFC players arrive at the Gtech Community Stadium
Brentford v Newcastle United: VAR was heavily-involved in the Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Bees were aggrieved when Dango Ouattara was shown a yellow card by Stuart Attwell for simulation. VAR checked the incident between the Bees man and Dan Burn, but ultimately opted against overturning Attwell’s call.
The scores were level at the time of the controversial incident after Kevin Schade had cancelled out Harvey Barnes’ opener. Schade’s goal saw him nod past Nick Pope to eventually make one of Brentford’s set-pieces pay dividends.
Michael Kayode’s long throw had been headed by Sven Botman but the Dutchman could do nothing but put the ball on a plate for Schade who nodded into a net guarded solely by Dan Burn after Pope came to punch the throw.
That goal levelled the game after the Magpies had gone into the break a goal to the good, courtesy of Barnes. The former Leicester City man twisted and turned his way beyond his opponents to fashion some room for himself in the box before planting a shot beyond Caoimhin Kelleher to the joy of 1,700 or so Magpies fans in the opposite corner of the Gtech Community Stadium.
Premier League release Brentford v Newcastle United VAR statement
As both teams fought to take the lead in the second period, the Premier League released a statement on why the Bees were not awarded a penalty for a supposed foul by Burn on Outtara, one the Brentford man left with a yellow card to his name.
Taking to X, the PL Match Centre wrote: ‘#BRENEW – 62’ The referee’s call of no penalty and yellow card to Ouattara for simulation was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge from Burn on Ouattara deemed to be minimal contact.’
VAR’s decision not to overturn Attwell’s call came to the bemusement of many in attendance at the Gtech Community Stadium, including that of former Premier League defender Kit Symons who admitted he was ‘baffled’ at the decision.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, Symons said: “I am a big advocate of the referee's call. But for me, that's what VAR is for.
“When it is a clear and obvious error, they need to get involved. I am a bit baffled. It should have been a penalty.”
Brentford’s remonstrations and frustrations, though, were short-lived when Burn was punished for a foul on Outarra minutes later. Burn, who had been booked earlier in the half, was shown a second yellow card by Attwell and given his marching orders.
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A long pause, though, followed as a VAR check took place before a quadruple substitution, including that of Pope who was replaced by Aaron Ramsdale before the Bees had stepped up to the spot to take the kick.
Igor Thiago eventually stepped up to take the kick. Despite the long wait, he slotted calmly past Ramsdale to put the hosts ahead and giving the Magpies yet more work to do on the road.
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