VAR had a very busy afternoon during Brighton vs Newcastle United on Sunday.
Craig Pawson pointed to the penalty spot three times, as Newcastle United salvaged a draw at the Amex Stadium.
Alexander Isak netted an 89th minute penalty to make it 1-1, after the Magpies had seen two penalties taken away from them.
Both decisions were correct. The foul on Anthony Gordon was actually outside the box, with VAR proving its worth.
VAR also got the Joe Willock penalty call right. Pawson initially pointed to the spot, but replays showed that the Newcastle United midfielder had dived.
The penalty was revoked, while Daniel Sturridge called Willock ‘cheeky’ for trying to win his side a penalty.
Fabian Hurzeler questions decision during Brighton vs Newcastle United
There could be no complaints with the penalty that the Magpies did get. Yasin Ayari handled the ball in the area, with VAR confirming that Pawson got the decision right.
However, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler believes that a penalty should have been given to his side before Eddie Howe’s team were able to equalise.
Matt O’Riley went down in the box in the 80th minute after a coming together with Sandro Tonali. The Denmark international appealed for a penalty, but his protests were waved away by Pawson.
VAR did not intervene either, much to the shock of Hurzeler.
“That’s a thing I don’t understand,” he told the Athletic.
“When there is not even a touch (by Van Hecke) he blows the whistle and gives a penalty for them. I don’t see there was a big difference to the foul by T (Lamptey) on Gordon and the foul on Matt O’Riley. I think if he gives the penalty, VAR has no chance to change it.”
Newcastle United will be delighted with a point
Brighton away is always a tricky game for the Magpies.
Newcastle’s last win at the Amex was in 2017, when both sides were in the Championship.
While Howe will know that his side had opportunities to end their rotten run on Sunday, it could prove to be a pivotal point in the race for Champions League qualification.
That was the view of Roy Keane after the game, who told Sky Sports that Newcastle will be delighted to return to the North East with another point on the board.
“It’s a huge point for them,” he said.
“Losing at half-time. You look at the league with the goal difference, psychologically getting that point. Huge point. They will be delighted with that. When you’re not at your best, take something. They could have won it at the end.”
The result means Newcastle and Chelsea are level on 63 points ahead of the two teams meeting at St James’ Park this upcoming Sunday.
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