Newcastle United’s quest for Premier League survival took another blow on Saturday afternoon as Eddie Howe’s first game in the dugout resulted in a 2-0 loss to Arsenal.
A positive result for Newcastle at the Emirates was always a tall order, especially with Mikel Arteta’s men wanting to rebound quickly after being humbled 4-0 at Anfield last time out.
The Toon still had chances, and felt the officials cost them the game after being denied two spot kicks in the game for what they deemed as fouls on Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson.
How the Newcastle fans reacted
“Besides Krafth, Lascelles and Ritchie being useless, it’s quite clear the PL don’t want us to stay up. Clear penalties denied as per…” @LaurentAlhadeff
“Also don’t know what VAR was looking at when Schar had his shirt pulled.” @connelhooley
“Might help if refs start giving us penalties…” @ricey80
“Could’ve done with a better ref too. Another day we would’ve been two up at half time and it wouldn’t have looked so bad!”@JordanCapewell_
“Corrupt VAR and a ref.” @fatman_slim102
“Especially the way the referees are giving us absolutely none of the big decisions our way…” @MOxley95730032
“Stuart Atwell is definitely wearing an Arsenal shirt today he’s been shocking #NUFC aren’t getting anything can’t believe that wasn’t a penalty either.” @stevenNUFC
“We looked at better team as soon as we started attacking. Remember-we conceded whilst playing defensively. That ref was shocking we should have had at LEAST one stone wall penalty and a likely second/third. Almiron denied a free kick and Wilson barged over in the box. #NUFC @duffyj1987
“Incredible number of zero foul or even contact fouls being awarded against #NUFC today. Two clear penalties not awarded even with VAR. strange application of rules. #ARsnew @Milburn_Mag
It’s all ifs buts and maybes, but of course had the decisions been given we could have seen a completely different game.
However, there’s also no guarantee that the penalties would have been converted, nor would it have dented Arsenal spirits enough to stop them finding the net.
The Toon Army understandably feel hard done by yesterday by the officials and will be hoping that their fortune changes on Tuesday. Norwich City travel to St James’ Park in a must win fixture for both sides.