The match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur may have finished 2–2 thanks to Cristian Romero's acrobatic heroics in the 95th minute, but Eddie Howe's men were given the perfect opportunity to pick up three points when they were controversially awarded a penalty ten minutes earlier. Ex-PGMOL Keith Hackett has offered his verdict.
Perhaps a momentum shifter for Thomas Frank and company given the north Londoners last won a match on November 4, Newcastle took control in the 71st minute after Bruno Guimaraes' side-footed effort. Spurs Captain Romero (operating in his role of makeshift centre-forward) then got in front of Dan Burn to level proceedings.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: During the first half of their last four Premier League matches – against Manchester United, Arsenal, Fulham and Newcastle United – Tottenham Hotspur have had zero shots on target.
Substitute Anthony Gordon then converted from the controversially-awarded spot kick in the 84th minute – and many around the stadium believed that Howe's side would walk away with all three points. That wasn't the case, though, as Romero reacted quickly to Aaron Ramsdale's punch to produce quite a spectacular bicycle kick five minutes into added time.
Keith Hackett Provides Verdict on Controversial Penalty Given in Newcastle 2–2 Spurs
Many fans – from those online to those in attendance – were baffled by referee Thomas Bramall's decision to give the penalty after consulting the pitch side monitor. With the score poised at 1-1, the ball was whipped into Spurs' danger area by Guimaraes, and it was somewhat flicked out for another corner on the opposite side by right-back Pedro Porro.
All the while, Rodrigo Bentancur was adjudged to have manhandled Dan Burn in the box by those manning VAR. Bramall was recommended to have a look himself and, after closer inspection, he pointed to the penalty spot. Bramall said: “After review, Tottenham number 30 makes a holding offence at the back post and clearly does not look at the ball. My final decision is penalty kick.”
Gordon, as mentioned, stepped up to convert – and plenty of those associated with Frank's men were disappointed in the decision, given the common consensus was there was simply not enough deliberate contact to warrant Newcastle the chance to dispatch from 12 yards out, which they did.
Even Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand took to X (formerly Twitter) to suggest the decision was a poor one. "Disgraceful decision to reward Newcastle [with a] penalty. Whoever [is] controlling the VAR should be ashamed and the ref then reviews and should be also. Well done Newcastle."
A fan posted footage of the incident on X alongside the caption: "Another howler from VAR. You can't give this as a penalty. Even Burn is surprised." In response, Hackett claimed that Bentancur was holding the lofty defender and Bramall was correct in his decision to award a penalty.
"Bentancur is holding Dan Burn. Correct decision to award a PK."
Of course, neither Spurs nor Newcastle were able to walk away with a grin on their face due to sharing the spoils – but the visiting side can certainly feel hard done by. Jamie Carragher claimed it was "harsh" on commentary duty for Sky Sports, while Spurs' Kevin Danso called for consistency. "It's tough. It feels like some weeks a ref will give it and some weeks they won't," the 27-year-old Austrian said. "We just have to focus and do exactly what we did today."
Thomas Frank and Eddie Howe Give Own Verdict on Decision
From the footage, Bentancur did appear to have his arms around the 6ft 7in frame of Burn as Guimaraes teased a delivery into the box but, as play developed, the Newcastle defender seemed to continue to run over the Spurs midfield, thus resulting in them falling to a heap on the floor. "It was an absolute mistake from the VAR," said Spurs boss Frank, per BBC Sport.
"The referee did good to do the ref call and they encourage the refereeing call on the pitch. For me, that is never a penalty. Even speaking to some from Newcastle [they] don't think it's a penalty and we need consistency. I think the referee's call on the pitch, he nailed it, and VAR can only be if it's clear and obvious."
Perhaps unexpectedly, Howe believes that Bramall was right to overturn his original decision of no penalty. "I hadn't seen it, I'm only seeing it now," the English manager said when asked about the controversy in his post-match interview. "The big thing is the defender isn't looking at the ball at all, he's looking at Dan [Burn]. I think it's probably the right call."