Why was Newcastle denied a penalty against Manchester United?

Newcastle United failed to extend the gap with Manchester United on the table after losing at Old Trafford. One of the biggest talking points from that defeat was when The Magpies’ penalty appeal was denied in the first half. 

Anthony Gordon was fouled by Sofyan Amrabat in the box at halftime. But the referee decided not to give a penalty to the visitors after deeming that Amrabat did not clip his heel in the process. The game carried on, with United leading at the break. 

Newcastle vs Man United Penalty: Anthony Gordon questioned the VAR’s existence

After the game, Gordon felt that it should have been a penalty for his team but admitted that he was not thinking too much about the incident. The former Everton forward added that the VAR (Newcastle vs Man United Penalty) was getting useless when it was not used when needed the most.

“I have watched it back and it is a clear penalty,” Gordon told SkySports. “I don’t mind the referee getting it wrong on the pitch, but I don’t understand the point of VAR.

“He [Sofyan Amrabat] goes down my Achilles and pushes me in the back. I knew straight away, that is why I didn’t appeal. I waited for the VAR to check, and I told my teammates ‘it was a clear penalty’. I don’t understand the point of it, either get rid of it or get better – it’s that simple.”

The incident has left Gordon feeling a little pain in the back of his left heel. He wished that the pain would not cause him further trouble, as he was expecting England call-up for the Euro.

“Really sore. Not not sure how good my ankle will be. I won’t let a sore ankle get in the way of that.”

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