The Premier League have explained that there WAS enough contact from Nick Pope to see Crystal Palace awarded a controversial penalty on Wednesday. The Eagles were given a penalty just after the half-hour mark at St James’ Park after the Newcastle goalkeeper had smashed into Chris Richards.
The original decision was no penalty but a VAR check saw that call overturned and the Premier League have explained exactly why. A statement released during the game read: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no penalty to Crystal Palace for a challenge by Pope on Richards – and deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty to Crystal Palace.”
It eventually mattered not as Pope redeemed himself by saving Eberechi Eze’s spot kick. And things then got even worse for the visitors as a Marc Guehi own goal saw Newcastle double their advantage.
The Magpies were 4-0 at the break as Fabian Schar and Harvey Barnes got in on the act. Alexander Isak added a fifth in the second period as Newcastle made it six straight wins.
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton had slammed Pope for his part in the incident that saw Palace handed a penalty. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It’s so careless from Nick Pope. Needless.”
But he then praised the England stopper for redeeming himself with the save. He added: “Nick Pope just waits. He does well, really well. Eze wants to see him sit down, he doesn’t. It’s so careless and clumsy to give away the penalty but he redeems himself.”
A win against Palace sees Newcastle strengthen their grip on a place in the Champions League. Three points carries them up to third in the Premier League table, just four points behind Arsenal, and all without mastermind Eddie Howe, still recuperating from a nasty bout of pneumonia.
Was Palace’s penalty the right decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Newcastle face another big game in their pursuit of a Champions League spot at the weekend as they take on Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s men saw their run in the competition ended by Paris Saint-Germain in a dramatic affair on Tuesday evening.
The Premier League have already ensured that they will have five teams in the competition next term. As it stands, those sides will be Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.
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