Newcastle United continued his impressive record with Arsenal on Tyneside alongside Nick Ultemed, and two goals in the Premier League with two home starts.
Former Premier League defender Gary Neville has argued that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision to not acknowledge Newcastle’s opening goal against Arsenal is correct. Nick Woltemade achieved two goals in his first two home games and scored an incredible header past David Raya.
After fleeing Gabriel Magalges in the box, the striker turned the header from Sandro Tonari’s cross towards the bottom corner. Raya and Gabriel protested to referee Jarrred Girlett after Replay showed that the Germans had pushed the centre-back.
However, Var claimed that contact from the striker was minimal and that the target was standing. Speaking about Sky Sports, Neville has admitted his decision to allow the goal to be correct.
“This is a big big goal from a big guy at the big company! Arsenal complains about the push,” he said. “Raya was hooked. The two hands of Ultemaid behind Gabriel. They touched a little. Not enough.
read more: Premier League Match Center Publication Statement as Arsenal’s penalty overturned by VARread more: Which channel is Newcastle vs Arsenal? Live stream and kickoff details
“Val says minimal contact – and I agree with them, a really clear line from Val, saying, “A little touch on the back won’t let Gabriel down like he is.” I think they did that right. ”
This was not the first case that required VAR to be involved. Earlier in the first half, Arsenal was awarded a penalty by Nick Pope after Victor Gyoker was cut into a box.
The decision was overturned after several replays, with Gillette unveiling the stadium as to why the decision was overturned. “After the review, the Newcastle goalkeeper played the ball and there were no fouls,” the Australian said. “The final decision is a drop ball.”
This time, Neville admitted that he wasn’t sure if it should be a penalty. “The Pope came out and committed,” he said.
“Gyoker was very close to the goalkeeper and we covered it past him with a nick. It looked like a clear penalty: the knee on the knee.” After watching the subsequent replay, he added: “Gyoker touches the ball, then there’s a touch (from Pope) and then he takes him down. To be honest, I’m a bit torn.”
He added: “Gyoker means kicking it against the Pope’s foot. The Pope is still blocking Gyoker. The Pope is the most secure man in the stadium.”
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