Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United is fouled to win a penalty
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United is fouled to win a penalty
The decision to award a penalty, but only a yellow card to Brentford defender Michael Kayode, has been explained by referee Andy Madley.
With Newcastle trailing 2-1 in the second half, the official had initially waved away appeals for a foul after was tripped in the penalty area. He was, however, sent over to the pitch-side monitor to review the decision.
Madley said via microphone on his in-stadium announcement: "After review, there is a careless trip by blue 33. My final decision is penalty kick." The 'careless' emphasis explains why he showed a yellow card instead of a straight red.
Guimaraes stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake to draw 's team level. The team weren't level for long, though, with Dango Ouattara making it 3-2 to Brentford with five minutes of normal time left to play.
It's not the first time during that game that VAR was in use. Brentford had a claim for a penalty in the first 90 seconds of the game, but that was dismissed after a check.
then put the Magpies 1-0 up from a set-piece, but Vitaly Janelt equalised for Brentford in the 37th minute. The Bees were given the chance to take the lead just before half-time when a VAR check deemed that Jacob Murphy committed a handball offence in the area.
Jacob Murphy was penalised for a handball offence in the first half of Newcastle's clash against Brentford. (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Offering an explanation on the decision, the Premier League Match Centre wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "The referee's call of penalty to Brentford was checked and confirmed by VAR - with it deemed that Murphy committed a non-deliberate handball offence that stopped the ball going towards the goal."
At the half-time break, former Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand was unsure if it was the right decision. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said:
"I agree with the part that he stops the ball going in the back of the net, but hand being away from his body I'm not quite sure. Unless he puts his arms behind his back, I'm not sure what else he could do."
Fellow pundit Izzy Christiansen was in agreement. "I totally agree with you," she said.
"I think the way that he moves, the action - you can see in slow-motion - as Jacob Murphy moves himself to get in position to try and get his line, he wants the ball to his chest if anything.
"But the way that he moves, [his left arm] is not in an unnatural position, it's natural because your body is moving to get in front of the ball. It's unfortunate for him that it's hit his arm."
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