Dermot Gallagher told an angry Alan Shearer that the correct call was made to not award Newcastle United a penalty during their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday at St James’ Park.
Before Arsenal could open the scoring through Martin Odegaard, the on-field referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the home side a penalty after he thought Jakub Kiwior had handled the ball.
But VAR advised him to check his monitor, which he did, and he then proceeded to overturn the penalty to the anger of the home support.
Alan Shearer, whilst arguing with Ian Wright, was insistent that the referee and VAR had no right to overturn it because it wasn’t ‘clear and obvious’.
When the Newcastle legend put that forward to former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher, he issued the following response, as he told PL Productions (07/05/23 at 5:30 pm).
“Yes, I think it has hit the top of his thigh,” said Gallagher.
Shearer then shouted in the background: “You think Dermot or you know?!” to which Gallagher responded: “I am convinced it’s hit the top of his thigh.”
Shearer added: “You are 100% certain that’s hit the top of his leg and it’s an absolute howler from the referee?!”
DG: “I think the fact that he has given a penalty, then I don’t think it’s handball.”
AS: “Can you answer the question…I can’t see it. You must have better eyes than I have. Why has it taken seven replays if it’s that certain?”
Ian Wright then shouts in the background ‘stick to your guns’ and Gallagher adds: “I am convinced it’s hit the top of his thigh. Once Chris Kavanagh goes to the screen, it’s his decision. He has got all the options. I don’t know why they watch it so often.”
ARSENAL DESERVED THE POINTS
At the end of the day, the ball hit Kiwior’s thigh first, before his hand and the correct call was made.
If this was the other way around and Arsenal were given a penalty for that exact same incident, then the Toon Army faithful wouldn’t have been happy about it.
Either way, after weathering the early Newcastle storm, Arsenal caused the Champions League-chasing side all sorts of issues, especially on the counter, with Shearer claiming that the Gunners dealt with their opponents’ midfield.
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