There was late controversy in Newcastle United’s 2-2 home draw with Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has backed Stuart Attwell after his awarded a last-gasp penalty to Liverpool in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.
The Magpies appeared to be on their way to securing an impressive victory on the opening day of their Premier League campaign as Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock scored either side of an equaliser from Reds winger Cody Gakpo. With the clock ticking into the sixth minute of added-on time after an additional five minutes had been signalled, United left-back Lewis Hall was ruled to have brought down former Newcastle transfer target Victor Munoz in the penalty area.
Victor Munoz of Liverpool is fouled by Lewis Hall of Newcastle United leading to a penalty being awarded during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Victor Munoz of Liverpool is fouled by Lewis Hall of Newcastle United leading to a penalty being awarded during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Much to the frustration of the vast majority of those inside St James Park, Attwell immediately blew for a penalty and his decision was backed up by VAR official James Bell. That allowed Dominik Szoboszlai to step up and convert from 12 yards to ensure his side snatched a point from their visit to Tyneside. Gallagher insisted Attwell had made the right call and believes United head coach Matthias Jaissle’s comments that the decision was ‘soft’ were an admission that it was a foul.
He told Sky Sports: “I think it’s right, I think it’s clumsy. I think he catches him with his knee, he doesn’t get the ball. That’s the big thing for me. The forward is clever, isn’t he? He moves the ball away, Hall catches him with the knee and brings him down. It’s interesting what the manager said it’s soft. I think that’s an admission it’s a foul to be honest.
He continued: “If you watch, Munoz moves the ball away. That’s his natural path isn’t it? Hall goes into his path. You talk about physical contact, it’s impactful, he knocks him off balance and he can’t chase the ball. Barnes would have been the nearest player to get the ball but Barnes would have been behind the ball so Munoz had the advantage. It’s impactful, it’s contact, it’s a penalty for me.”
‘That’s not a soft challenge’
Referee Stuart Atwell. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Referee Stuart Atwell. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty Images | Getty Images
Former Coventry City striker Jay Bothroyd disagreed with Jaissle over his description of the decision as he insisted it was ‘not a soft challenge’ and insisted the credit should go to Spain international Munoz for drawing the foul from Hall and giving his side a chance to earn a share of the points.
“I don’t even think that’s soft. I think it’s a poorly-timed challenge. I really like Lewis Hall as a player, fantastic game. But I want to give credit to Munoz. His first touch is great, his momentum is taking him on to Lewis Hall. Lewis Hall can’t go forward and attack that. He has to stand his ground. The only thing is he didn’t have to make a challenge because Harvey Barnes is coming back as well and probably would have tackled him or won the ball. I think it’s good play from Munoz but he’s definitely hit him on his knee. That’s not a soft challenge to me.”
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