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Newcastle United latest news: VAR was at the centre of the action during Newcastle United’s defeat to Brentford.
VAR was at the centre of the action during Newcastle United’s Premier League defeat against Brentford on Saturday. The technology had to rule on two penalties, one given and one not given on field which both resulted in a goal for each team.
It was also called on to check a very early incident between Kieran Trippier and Keane Lewis-Potter, but on that occasion it did not recommend that referee Andy Madley should go and check his initial call. Trippier was perhaps a little lucky to avoid giving away a foul and red card for that incident.
After three games on the road against PSG, Liverpool and Manchester City, a trio of matches that they returned with just one point from whilst having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the process, the Magpies returned to St James’ Park with hopes of righting their poor Premier League form of late.
That task started in the perfect way when Sven Botman headed home a corner from his captain beyond Caoimhin Kelleher. That was the Dutchman’s first ever goal at St James’ Park on his 100th appearance for the club.
However, Brentford were level 13 minutes later when Vitaly Janelt nodded home a wicked cross past Nick Pope. Igor Thiago converted a penalty just a few minutes before half-time to put the visitors into the lead at the break as vocal boos greeted Eddie Howe’s side as Madley blew the whistle to signify the end of the first 45 minutes.
It was up to Bruno Guimaraes to once again rescue his team and his turn to convert a spot-kick after a VAR check. However, even that goal and the rejuvenated momentum that Newcastle United gained from that wasn’t enough to dampen Brentford’s spirits as Dango Ouattara struck past Pope in the 83rd minute to give his side the lead again.
Premier League Match Centre release Newcastle United v Brentford VAR statements
Amid all the chaos on the pitch at St James’ Park on Saturday evening, the Premier League Match Centre was on X to explain all of VAR’s interventions. On the first major decision, Trippier’s alleged foul on Lewis-Potter, the Match Centre wrote: ‘#NEWBRE – 2’ The referee’s call of no penalty to Brentford was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact from Trippier on Lewis-Potter deemed to be minimal with no impact.’.
The second call also saw VAR agree with the referee’s initial call, this time after the Bees were awarded a penalty by Madley. VAR did not punish Murphy further, though, sticking with Madley’s decision of yellow card.
‘#NEWBRE – 43’ 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.’.
The final major VAR decision, though, was to overturn an initial call of no penalty for a foul on Guimaraes as he looked to tap home a Will Osula cross. Madley headed to the monitor to check that decision and, after a long look, overturned his call.
On that decision, the Premier League Match Centre wrote: ‘#NEWBRE – 74’ VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of no penalty to Newcastle. Referee announcement: “After review, there is a careless trip by the blue 33. My final decision is penalty kick.”’.
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