VAR told they got a major decision wrong during Southampton vs Newcastle United

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Newcastle United were awarded a penalty during their game against Southampton on Saturday.

Newcastle suffered an early setback in the first half but were able to bounce back thanks to an Alexander Isak brace shortly after.

Eddie Howe was looking to bounce back from Newcastle’s shock loss to Bournemouth at St James’ Park. Despite looking threatening in the opening minutes, Jan Bednarek gave Southampton the lead after 10 minutes.

16 minutes later, Isak went down inside the area following a tussle with Joe Aribo. Nothing was given at the time but referee Sam Barrott was sent to the VAR monitor and awarded Newcastle the penalty which Isak cooly converted.

Ally McCoist’s bold statement on Isak was backed up when he gave Newcastle the lead thanks to a cool finish just four minutes later – his 17th Premier League goal of the season.

There was not much debate from the Southampton players when the penalty was given. But one pundit believes that the VAR got the decision horribly wrong.

Efan Ekoku on Newcastle’s penalty decision

Replays had shown that Aribo tried to pinch the ball from Isak, but ended up taking the man instead. It was a clear penalty, even before the replays were shown the coming together between the two players did not look natural.

Despite that, former Bournemouth striker Efan Ekoku, who was co-commentator for the game did not agree with the decision.

While commentating for Premier League Productions, Ekoku said: “It’s a clash of legs. The player planted his foot.

“I think they’ve been gifted a penalty there Newcastle.”

Newcastle have been embroiled in VAR controversy this season – Anthony Gordon collided with Dejan Kulusevski during Newcastle’s win at Spurs in January. Pundits believed that Newcastle were denied a clear penalty that day.

On Saturday, it was a completely different story. Even without the penalty, Newcastle would have won the game thanks to Sandro Tonali’s second half strike. The goal is proof that Howe’s tactical change involving Tonali has clearly worked.

Premier League statement on Newcastle penalty call

It took VAR several minutes to check the decision and for Barrott to go to the monitor. It did not take Isak very long to convert the penalty, however.

In a Premier League statement, they confirmed that VAR had deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty and recommended a spot-kick.

Barrott then overturned his original decision and awarded the penalty. The win means the Bournemouth defeat was a mere bump in the road which should hopefully not hinder their chances of playing European football next season.