Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willockplaceholder image
Newcastle United midfielder Joe Willock | Getty Images
Joe Willock had a controversial goal ruled out in Newcastle United’s win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Joe Willock has joked that he “should have got a trim” before Newcastle United’s win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder was cruelly denied a first-half opener when he appeared to time his run perfectly before coolly slotting past Vicario. A boyhood Arsenal fan and former player, Willock pointed to the heavens as the 3,000-strong away end went wild.
Willock looked level on the TV replays - beating Micky van de Ven’s offside trap - but VAR soon intervened. Further inspection showed one of the narrowest offside calls, with a sliver of the 26-year-old forehead being enough to disallow the goal.
Newcastle were left furious but went ahead moments later through Malick Thiaw. Ultimately, the Magpies clinched a 2-1 victory in North London to quell any discontent regarding Willock’s offside goal.
Joe Willock responds on social media
Seeing the funny side, Willock quipped that he should have visited the barbers before travelling to Spurs last night. Alongside a still image of the offside call, he wrote on social media: “If only I got a trim before the game.”
Joe Willock's post on Instagram following the win over Spurs.placeholder image
Joe Willock's post on Instagram following the win over Spurs. | Instagram
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean claimed the decision was the “closest” he has seen in top-flight football. He told Sky Sports: “It is just so close. They (VAR) have got a circle on his (Van de Ven’s) shoulder and a circle there (on Joe Willock’s forehead).
“That is the closest one I have ever seen. Closest one I have ever seen on automated offsides.”
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Eddie Howe toasts Tottenham Hotspur triumph
Speaking after the game, Eddie Howe credited his players for leaving everything on the pitch. He said: “I thought that the players were all out on the pitch, we were getting cramp at the end. The schedule (of matches) has been relentless but I thought the performance was brilliant.
“It was a great finish from JJ (Jacob Ramsey) and he is getting accustomed to the team. I thought Bruno’s performance in the middle of the pitch was really strong. We have been waiting for that momentum shift for a long time this season. We just haven’t strung it together long enough this season. It’s going to be tough for the players but a great result today.”
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