Newcastle and Liverpool were held to a 3-3 draw at St James’ Park, but both sides will have a “what if” feeling after key decisions are made.
Amidst the drama of the action-packed game, there were four particularly controversial moments.
- Newcastle feels like a referee Andrew Medley They blew the whistle early on at full-time as they attacked for a last-gasp winner.
- Madley did not call a penalty for the first half Virgil van Dyck is a challenge Anthony Gordon.
- Newcastle were also denied a penalty in the second half Alexander Isak dropped under friction Jarrell Quansah.
- Liverpool were not awarded a late penalty as they appealed against the handball Dan Burns.
We answer the top questions surrounding some huge refereeing decisions in the North East…
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Newcastle v Liverpool Premier League highlights
Did the full-time whistle blow too soon?
Referee Madley blew the full-time whistle just seconds after the minimum five minutes had been allotted.Newcastle counter-attacked with Isak joined by two teammates in support.
St James’ Park were furious, believing the official had not considered how dangerous a situation Newcastle were creating before the hour mark.
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Eddie Howe was left frustrated after Andy Medley was whistled in the 3-3 draw with Liverpool as his Newcastle side looked to make the most of late counter-attacks.
Another issue raised by Newcastle was how Madley was denied extra time due to several interceptions in injury time.
After the 90th minute, there were two VAR reviews for Liverpool’s penalties, lasting 21 seconds and 54 seconds respectively, and a minute and 10 seconds were wasted when Newcastle took a free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area, which Isak fired over.
In total, the ball was in play for only one minute and 59 seconds out of the five allocated by the officials.
Referee Madley blew his full-time whistle at 95:10, allowing just 10 seconds for stoppages.
Should Van Dijk have taken a penalty and been sent off?
Early in the game, Gordon forced Liverpool defender Joe Gomez into a poor pass, only to be denied by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, but then looked to have been turned over by Van Dijk in the Liverpool box.
The incident was not picked up by referee Madley and a brief VAR review to check a penalty and possible red card was upheld by his decision.
If Ian Wright was at Stokely Park, Van Dijk would be punished. “He knows exactly what he’s doing. It’s a pen,” he continued The Overlap Watchalong:.
Roy Keane was also unequivocal in his assessment. “It’s a penalty,” he added.
Speaking Ref Watch:Dermot Gallagher was less certain of Van Dijk’s intentions.
“It’s hard to say,” he said. “They have to say it’s violent behavior if it’s going to be a red card. We see a clenched fist, a pulled back elbow, then you think it’s violent.
“He leaves a bit on him, but not enough for the referee.”
Did Quansah survive touching the ball?
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Referee Andy Madley ruled out Newcastle’s claims for a challenge on Jarel Quansah on Alexander Isak in the box.
Isak burst into the box before going down under a challenge from Quansah.
Newcastle were adamant they should have awarded a penalty, but referee Madley allowed play to continue.A VAR review was carried out, but he agreed with the on-field decision.
“I thought it was a penalty on Alex but I didn’t see the replay, it was just a preliminary thought,” said Town boss Eddie Howe after the game.
At first glance, you’d have to agree with Howe’s assessment.Quansah hung a leg and made solid contact with Issac, but there was a touch on the ball.
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards thought so, saying:
Atwell seemed to agree with Richards, and it’s the faintest touch on the ball that almost certainly saves Quansah from being awarded a penalty, even though he also caught Isak.
Were Liverpool denied a penalty for handball by Burnley?
Liverpool wanted a penalty as they felt Alexis McAllister’s shot hit Dan Burn’s hand.
A Premier League announcement in this regard came after Liverpool looked to award a penalty after Alexis McAllister’s shot hit Dan Burn on the arm.
Madley rejected their appeals and VAR did not intervene, prompting the Premier League Match Center to publish X:“The referee’s call for a possible handball by Byrne is reviewed and upheld by VAR, deeming his hand to be in his body.”
If these two were playing in UEFA competitions, it could be a different story, according to Gallagher.
He told Ref Watch:“We saw against Newcastle (Tino) for Livramento in the Champions League (against PSG last season).
“Their tolerance level is much, much lower. I remember going to watch the Republic of Ireland game in Switzerland, the ball gets touched by Seamus Coleman, a penalty is awarded and you get frustrated.
“A yellow card was also given, which seemed like a double punishment.”
Gallagher, however, was pleased that Medley and VAR did not penalize Byrne.
“When you see it from the front, you see Burr get his elbows in the chest,” he said.
“One thing the referees are really good at this year is handball. Last year it was a lottery at times, but it’s in a much safer place where everyone will say yes.
“Liverpool will be disappointed but most people agree that’s not what we want for handball.”
