VAR had a very busy afternoon during Newcastle United’s win over Ipswich Town.
Newcastle beat Ipswich to move back up to third in the Premier League, while defeat for Kieran McKenna’s side confirmed their relegation to the Championship.
While there was a huge gulf between the two sides, there were plenty of incidents for referee Michael Salisbury to ponder. He endured a tough afternoon at St James’ Park, which was summed up by both sets of fans chanting ‘you’re not fit to referee’.
Sam Morsy avoided a red card after an incident with Joe Willock, while Ben Johnson was given his marching orders for two yellow cards. Elsewhere, Newcastle were given a penalty for a pull inside the box on Jacob Murphy, after the referee initially waved play on.
But the most surprising decision came in the 22nd minute when the Magpies thought they had taken the lead.
Newcastle United vs Ipswich Town decision was ‘baffling’
Newcastle United had the ball in the net courtesy of a mistake from Ipswich Town goalkeeper Alex Palmer. He bumped into Bruno Guimaraes and hit the deck, before the ball bounced off him and into the goal.
While Bruno ran off to celebrate, the referee blew his whistle for a foul.
It was a very controversial decision, and one that former official Dermot Gallagher has tried to explain on Sky Sports News.
“I think the fact he turned his back on the goalkeeper swayed the referee. Once the referee gave the foul, VAR is never going to send him to the screen,” he said.
However, pundit Stephen Warnock was having none of it, with the ex-Liverpool defender shocked to see the goal ruled out.
Warnock replied: “I don’t understand why it’s not given. I really don’t. I don’t care whether he turns his back on him or not. All he does is stand his ground. He doesn’t influence anything that the goalkeeper does. Goalkeeper runs into him. I found this baffling.
“The thing is about this challenge is Bruno has actually pulled out of the challenge. He’s been cowardly. He doesn’t back into him. He turns his back on him ever so slightly. Bruno is expecting a knee in the back, he’s expecting the goalkeeper to come up and claim it. I’m not having that at all. That is soft, really soft.”
Red card left Ipswich Town frustrated
While that decision did not go Newcastle United’s way, Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna believes the red card they received was harsh.
Ben Johnson was sent off for two yellow cards. The first booking was for a dive on the edge of the Magpies’ box, while the second was for pulling Alexander Isak back.
While the second yellow card was not up for debate, McKenna told BBC Sport that he thought the first booking was harsh.
“We were frustrated with the first yellow card and then it changes the game – 11 v 10 with the crowd they have here is almost an impossible task,” he said.
“Ben [Johnson] is running at the last man. Dan Burn sticks his leg and knee out and there is probably minimum contact, but there is contact there. If you are running at that speed, you don’t have to get smacked by it and you can go over on the contact. I don’t think Ben has taken a dive in his life.”
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