Sunderland beat Newcastle United 2-1 win at St James’ Park on Sunday
Sky Sports have released footage from Anthony Taylor's refcam, giving fans an insight into what the referee decided at key moments in Sunderland's 2-1 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park last Sunday.
The game passed with a lack of major drama in terms of officiating drama, the key incident coming at 1-1 in the second half when Taylor correctly ruled that Jacob Murphy was interfering with play from an offside position as Malick Thiaw headed into the Sunderland goal. There were a number of other talking points, however, and this is what Taylor ruled at the time...
The dugout talk
Early in the first half, Taylor briefly paused the game to speak to Jason Tindall and Sunderland coach Michael Proctor. The refcam footage shows that Taylor was warning both about dissent towards the fourth official, and warned them that they would be booked if it continued.
"Stop a minute," Taylor says before approaching the touchline.
"Proctor and Tindall, come here, both of you. Come here a minute. Remember what I said inside, leave him [the fourth official] alone. Next time, yellow card each."
Anthony Gordon's penalty appeal
Newcastle wanted a penalty when Anthony Gordon went down in the box in the first half, but the footage shows Taylor quickly deciding that Trai Hume had not committed a foul and that Gordon had in fact initiated the contact by stepping across him.
"Yeah, I'm here," Taylor says, looking at the play from a central position.
"Bez [assistant Gary Beswick] side. No, he stands in front! Gordon stands across in front of the defender, on-field decision is play on."
A VAR check followed and agreed with Taylor's decision.
First-half confrontation
Just before half time, Trai Hume was then shown a yellow card for a foul on Anthony Elanga. Taylor quickly settles on the decision, before there is a confrontation between Anthony Gordon, Omar Alderete and Joelinton. A number of players move in, with Taylor instructing them to move away.
He then tells captains Granit Xhaka and Kieran Trippier that two players should have been yellow carded, and urges them to manage the situation.
"Really I should be yellow carding two other people in that," he tells the players.
"So really, really take control for me now, it's down to you. Perfect, thank you."
Sunderland's opening goal
Taylor quickly awards Chemsdine Talbi's equaliser, ruling that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is impeded by his own defender and that from Trai Hume's follow-up, Habib Diarra uses his chest to turn the ball towards goal.
"Own player on Ramsdale," Taylor says as the corner comes in.
"Hits the chest. Okay. On-field decision is goal: No foul on the keeper, it's the defender. Then the ball hits number 19 on the chest in the build-up."
VAR quickly confirms both of his judgments.
Handball complaints waved away for Brobbey's winner
"It's a save," Taylor says before Brobbey turns in the rebound.
Newcastle United winger Jacob Murphy then approaches the referee to ask for a handball, to which he replies: "By who?"
Taylor then notes that Brobbey will have to be booked for removing his shirt in the celebrations, and awards the goal.
"OK so it's going to be a yellow card," he says.
"On-field decision is a goal - I don't see any handball though." VAR quickly confirmed that call.
The footage can be seen in full on Sky Sports’ TikTok page.
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