Newcastle United 2-1 Man City: Joe Buck match reaction
Newcastle United latest news: Match of the Day pundits have given their opinion on controversial Man City VAR incidents.
A seven minute Harvey Barnes brace, one that was split by Ruben Dias’ equaliser, was enough to secure a vital three points for Eddie Howe’s side and his first ever victory over Pep Guardiola in the Premier League. Barnes’ winner though, one that saw him poke the ball home from point-blank range, was protested vociferously by Manchester City players and staff.
A long VAR check eventually decided that Bruno Guimaraes was onside in the build-up to the goal, whilst the City players believed that Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled in the attack that immediately preceded the goal. Neither referee Sam Barrott nor Craig Pawson on VAR duty believed that the Italian had been fouled, and thus the goal was allowed to stand.
Match of the Day pundits give their view on Newcastle United v Man City VAR decisions
That goal was analysed by Green and Rooney on Match of the Day, with the former England goalkeeper rather surprisingly siding with the officials, rather than his goalkeeping union colleague: “It’s a goal,” Green said. “This is happening time and time again with goalkeepers now, they’re getting drawn in with all the players at the near post.
“They rush across and you’re desperately keen to get involved and it’s so hard psychologically not to do that. Donnarumma falls for it as he goes before Barnes makes contact with him.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“The offsides aren’t offside, it’s all factual that’s all fine. If you watch Donnarumma, he starts to go before Barnes gets involved with him. If he stands still when Gvardiol heads the ball, he would have caught it above his head. Just stand still.
“It’s so hard for a goalkeeper to be brave and not get dragged into it. He got dragged into it and yeah there is a nudge, but that’s twice now, you’ve got to think ‘we’ve got to change, Donnarumma has to change.’ because that’s the Premier League.”
Post-match, Dias, the scorer of Man City’s equaliser, delivered his view on the incident, admitting his frustration that his side had not been awarded a free-kick. City were also aggrieved in the first-half when a brief VAR check for a tackle by Fabian Schar on Phil Foden didn’t result in Barrott pointing to the penalty spot.
Speaking about the incident, Rooney said: “I think it is [a penalty], yeah. It’s good play from Manchester City, Doku getting in the pocket and plays a lovely ball to Phil Foden.
“From there, you think he maybe just snatches at it, but from this angle you see he’s stretching for the ball, the defender comes across, clearly doesn’t take the ball and hits Phil Foden on the top of his foot and I think that is a penalty.”
He added: “It’s reckless. If you look at the moment of impact, the defender’s leg is straight and there’s studs. It’s a straight leg and studs on Phil Foden’s foot, I think it’s a clear penalty.”
Continue Reading