Newcastle United’s 0-0 draw with Everton was a tale of two penalties.
The first incident saw Newcastle United win a penalty, after Sandro Tonali’s shirt was pulled by James Tarkowski. It was a ridiculous bit of defending, and it gave Anthony Gordon the chance to score against Everton for the first time ever.
However, the opportunity passed him by as Jordan Pickford saved Gordon’s penalty.
It was a definitive moment in the game, with Gordon taking the blame after Newcastle failed to beat Everton.
Everton’s penalty appeal turned down against Newcastle
But while Newcastle squandered their chance to score from the spot, Everton will argue they should have been awarded their own opportunity from 12 yards.
A collision between Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dan Burn looked all but certain to result in Everton winning a penalty, only for Craig Pawson to wave play on.
It caused fury inside Goodison Park, with Sean Dyche’s side robbed of what they thought was a blatant penalty.
Dermot Gallagher assesses Everton vs Newcastle penalty incident
Following the incident, there has been quite the debate, with fans arguing both sides of the coin.
Some will say that Burn impeded Calvert-Lewin, while others will argue that Calvert-Lewin kicked Burn. As someone of a Newcastle United persuasion, I am leaning towards the latter.
And that is also the view of former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, who told Sky Sports News on Monday that Burn was very clever.
However, Stephen Warnock disagreed, admitting that the decision not to award Everton a penalty was ‘baffling’.
Don Hutchison defends Dan Burn after penalty incident
Following Warnock’s shock at the penalty not being given, Don Hutchison has given his view on the situation.
He believes the correct decision was made, and has explained why on X
Hutchison wrote: “It’s never ever a pen. DCL goes to take the shot and in doing that, he kicks the back of Dan Burn’s calf. Very similar to the incident between DCL and Lewis Dunk.”
Clever defending from Newcastle United centre-back
In incidents like this, bias will always take over. Everton fans say it is a penalty. Newcastle fans say it is not a penalty.
Personally, it looked like good defending from Burn. He did enough without actually doing anything. He tries to get himself between the ball and Calvert-Lewin, which is what leads to Everton’s number nine kicking him.
Everton were right to appeal for it, and on another day it could have been given.
And if it had been a Newcastle player that had gone to ground appealing for a penalty, we would all be saying it is a stonewaller! And the opposition would argue otherwise, such is the tribalist nature of the beautiful game.
Luckily for Eddie Howe’s side, the decision went Newcastle’s way on this occasion.
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