Newcastle United fans have been left shocked by VAR’s failure to intervene after an incident during their win against Wolves.
It was a positive day on many accounts for the Magpies. A goal on debut for their new record signing, a third clean sheet in four games for Nick Pope and his Newcastle United defenders.
Eddie Howe can take a lot of pride in his team’s performance against Wolves at St James’ Park on Saturday, even if they only won 1-0.
The result will give them a lot of confidence in the midst of a very busy schedule, with Saturday starting a 23-day run that includes seven games.
Of course, fans will always be keen to win by more goals, but the three points were enough on the day. Harvey Barnes put in a rather shy performance for the Magpies, but fans may have had a different opinion if VAR had judged a decision in his favour.
Newcastle United fans think Wolves should have had a man sent off
Wolves were not afraid to get stuck in away from home. Vitor Pereira’s side picked up four yellow cards in the 90 minutes, but they were very lucky that Chris Kavanagh did not get sent to the pitchside monitor to review a controversial moment during the game.
Barnes found himself just about to break away from the Wolves back line when Yerson Mosquera came barreling into the winger on the edge of the area, taking him out as he was about to take a shot on goal.
There was a quick pause in the game, where it looked as though VAR was going to sent Kavanagh to the monitor, but then the game resumed like nothing had happened. Shocked at the decision, Newcastle fans have taken to X to share their view.
“Such an obvious foul ffs. Fair enough, the ref misses it. But what on earth are VAR doing when they’re watching that back & how have they deemed it not a clear and obvious error? They manage to see the opposite of what everyone else with a pair of eyes can see,” said one fan, while another added: “Should have been a foul, red for last man, and a sending off. VAR is poor because Premier League reffing standards are horrendous. Incredible the FA can’t find better than what they have.”
This fan thinks the decision went under the radar: “If we’d drawn/lost the game, this would be all over social media and would likely provoke a response from @FA_PGMOL. An absolute shocker of a decision not to give a foul. An answer is needed.”
“Unbelievably poor officiating here. Free kick, maybe even a sending off,” said this disappointed Newcastle fan.
Another fan added: “One of these where Var doesn’t get involved if it’s given.”
Finally, this Newcastle fan said: “I’d be fuming had we not won but just move on now, they all even themselves out throughout the season apparently.”
Harvey Barnes must improve if he wants to stay in Newcastle United’s starting XI
While he threatened on a couple of occasions, it is fair to say that Barnes did not have his best game in a black and white shirt on Saturday.
The 27-year-old was second best to many of the through balls played to him, and would often get the ball caught up in his feet whenever he broke away. His game was summed up when he tripped and fell over the ball while inside the penalty area in the second half.
Barnes should be cut some slack, however, as he most likely missed a couple of training days following the birth of his daughter on Thursday morning.
With Anthony Gordon available for Newcastle in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, the chances are he will start ahead of Barnes in those games, before returning to the starting XI once his suspension is served.
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