The VAR and referee may well have made a big mistake in the recent Newcastle United game after they failed to punish an Emerson Royal handball.
The Magpies travelled away from home to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend, with both teams currently challenging for European spots.
Eddie Howe’s men ended the first half like a team on fire with goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron giving the travelling team a two-goal lead.
Harry Kane did pull one back with a header at the far post following a corner. However, Newcastle may well have had a penalty shortly before that.
Indeed, when the ball was crossed into the box, Joelinton managed to keep it alive at the back post only for the ball to deflect off Emerson’s arm and out for a corner.
TIF thoughts on the incident and Newcastle United…
As the image above shows, the ball clearly hits the Spurs right-back and so it’s easy to see why some Newcastle United supporters may well have felt it was a penalty. And, the fact that his arm was away from his body in an unnatural position suggests it perhaps should’ve been.
Most importantly, though, the referee did not spot it live and VAR did not deem it worthy of punishment – presumably due to proximity, with Emerson so close to Joelinton.
It was a lucky escape for Spurs and the call certainly had a big impact on proceedings with Kane then going on to score very shortly afterwards, in the 54th minute.
Should it have been a penalty?
Yes
No
