Eddie Howe thinks Newcastle United should have been awarded a penalty against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies had a big claim for a spot kick turned down early in the first half, with Callum Wilson going down in the Red Devils’ box.
He received the ball on the edge of the area and raced towards goal. But as he shifted it past Raphael Varane, the Man United defender wiped him out.
It looked a penalty in real time, and the replays are even more damning. Varane clearly fouls Wilson in the box, and it is unclear why VAR did not overturn the decision.
Referee Craig Pawson waved play on, and Wilson was forced to get up and get on with it. Newcastle did just that, winning a well deserved point at Old Trafford.
However, it could have been more if that penalty had been given in the first half.
Howe gives verdict on Newcastle penalty call
After the game, Howe spoke to NUFC TV. He was asked for his opinion on Newcastle’s first half penalty shout.
“I thought it was a very good shout for a penalty,” Howe said.
“I think the lad has just come across him and taken him down. For me, watching it again, I think it’s a penalty in my opinion. But it wasn’t given and we have to get on with it.”
Decision went against Newcastle, but at least the referee was consistent
It’s another big decision that has gone against Newcastle. We have had plenty of issues with referees already this season – most notably in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.
And today is another example of a big call going against us. We might be biased, but it looked a stonewall penalty.
But Pawson and the VAR officials saw it differently. It’s a big disappointment, as a penalty would have given us a great chance to score the goal that was missing from our first half performance.
However, there was at least consistency from the referee at Old Trafford. Man United had a penalty shout of their own in the second half, with Jadon Sancho going down from a challenge by Sean Longstaff. Erik ten Hag’s side will believe they should have got a penalty themselves.
But again the referee said no. It’s the consistency we are always craving.
Of course, it would have been nicer if he had made the right decision in the first half. If we get a penalty and score, it is a very different game. There are no guarantees that Man United get a similar penalty shout later in the game.
Howe thinks Wilson should have had a penalty, and so do we. But it wasn’t given, and a draw was a fair result on the day.
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