Controversy once again took centre stage at St. James’ Park as Arsenal’s early penalty against Newcastle was dramatically overturned following a VAR review.
The flashpoint came in the 14th minute when Jacob Murphy’s loose backpass put Viktor Gyokeres clean through on goal. The Arsenal striker was clipped by goalkeeper Nick Pope as he tried to round him, prompting referee Jarred Gillett to point to the spot immediately.
Arsenal players celebrated the decision, but it was short-lived. VAR officials called Gillett to the pitchside monitor, where replays showed Pope making the slightest touch on the ball before colliding with Gyokeres.
After taking another look, the referee reversed his call and made an on-field announcement: “After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul. The final decision is drop ball.”
While the ruling followed the letter of the law, debate has raged over whether Pope’s contact was still reckless enough to warrant a penalty. IFAB’s Law 12 states that a foul can be given if a challenge is careless or reckless, even if the defender touches the ball.
Naija News reports that the decision set the tone for a heated contest that swung back and forth. Newcastle struck first after the break, threatening to derail Arsenal’s title hopes. But the Gunners refused to give up. They equalised late on before Gabriel rose highest in the 96th minute to power home a header that sealed a 2-1 comeback victory.
On the VAR’s decision to overturn Arsenal’s penalty call, Gunners’ winger, Bukayo Saka, Said, “I’m speechless… For me, if we have VAR it’s for clear and obvious error. The fact it took ref that long to decide it shows it’s not clear error.
“These little things always go against us, but today we got what we deserved”.
