Newcastle United will need all the help they can get when they take on Manchester City this weekend, but they’ll be hoping the referee for the game won’t be causing too much of a stir.
The game on Saturday evening presents Newcastle a big opportunity to bounce back from their past two defeats, but Man City are arguably the toughest opponents the Magpies could face right now.
Eddie Howe has everything against him, to be fair. Newcastle’s record against Man City is poor, to say the least, but there is still a belief Newcastle can get a result and turn their season around.
The game at St. James’ Park will be a fascinating one regardless, and we now know who will be in charge of the game as the match officials have been revealed.
Sam Barrott during Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Premier League
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Who is the referee for Newcastle United vs Man City?
The referee for Newcastle United vs Man City will be Sam Barrott.
He will be joined by assistants Tim Wood and Nick Greenhalgh, while Leigh Doughty will be the fourth official.
Craig Pawson will be the man in charge of VAR, while his assistant on VAR will be Nick Hopton.
Sam Barrott referee record
Sam Barrott has overseen seven games this season, with six in the Premier League and one in the Carabao Cup.
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He’s shown one red card this season, ironically to Newcastle’s fierce rivals Sunderland in their 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. Barrott has also awarded two penalties so far this term.
Throughout his career, Barrott has refereed 159 matches, including 44 in the top flight. He’s shown 559 yellow cards and 14 red cards.
Thankfully, Newcastle fans will be pleased to know Barrott has never shown a red card or given a penalty in the three games he’s taken charge of involving the Magpies. In fact, he’s only shown three yellows in those matches, which suggests he keeps things under control pretty well.
Sam Barrott during Everton v West Ham United - Premier League
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Sam Barrott caused a stir in Merseyside derby
Naturally, as with any referee, it’s not all been plain sailing for Sam Barrott. As recently as April of this year Barrott really upset fans on both sides of the Merseyside divide.
Liverpool fans were unhappy to see James Tarkowski let off for a dangerous challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the first half, which only received a yellow card despite a VAR review.
Later, as Luis Diaz played the ball into Diogo Jota for Liverpool’s equaliser, Everton fans were enraged that an offside wasn’t given.
After the game, Everton boss David Moyes said: “That’s the difference in the game. I think the player is behind Tarkowski, interfering with him clearing it [the ball]. It’s a clear offside, and I think it’s a very easy decision to give. I can’t understand any reason why it wouldn’t have been given as offside – none at all.”
Let’s hope there are no similar controversies this weekend that costs Newcastle any points in this crucial game.