- Newcastle United gift Crystal Palace late penalty
- Jean-Philippe Mateta scores from spot
- Dermot Gallagher gives verdict on decision
In Newcastle United’s clash against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Sven Botman gave away a penalty in added time, which was converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta as the game ended 2-1 in favour of the Eagles.
In an interview on the club’s social media immediately after the game, manager Eddie Howe was quick to call out the decision, as he claimed it was ‘soft’.
The Magpies boss said: “I feel it was soft, but once the referee gives it, I don’t think he’s going to overturn it.
“Sven has grabbed his shirt; I don’t think there’s a lot in it, but it was given. It was a hugely disappointing end to the game; it was so late it gave us no time to do anything about it. We’ve gifted them a goal really.”
On Sky Sports, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher wasn’t on the same page as the 48-year-old, who said: “Without doubt (it was a penalty), he grabs hold of his shirt.”
Dermot Gallagher critical of Newcastle United defender
The Dutch defender grabbed hold of Jefferson Lerma’s shirt and pull him back from getting the ball, which led to the decisive penalty decision.
Gallagher said: “He doesn’t need to do it, and he pulls his shirt”. It was more points dropped for the Tyneside outfit in a period where they massively needed a change of trajectory to change their fortunes.
Former Magpies player Jay Bothroyd was alongside Gallagher, and he shared the same sentiment.
He said: “That’s always going to be given. It’s clear. Botman’s holding onto him for too long. It’s a clear penalty.”
Earlier in the season, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) claimed that they would be less lenient when it came to pulling shirts in the penalty area.
However, there have been plenty of incidents this season where a similar situation to Botman’s against Oliver Glasner’s side hasn’t resulted in a penalty.
However, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believed that the St James’ Park outfit were hard done by, which was reported by the Newcastle Chronicle.
He said: “It’s late in the game, it’s a silly thing for Botman to do. Normally, in the past, a referee may say, ‘I’m not going to give a penalty, it’s the last minute of a game, it’s 1-1, but he’s given the penalty.”
Newcastle United hard done by?
While it can be argued that the final choice by the ref was a ‘soft’ one, as Howe claims, it is nothing but stupidity from the 26-year-old defender.
Not only is Nick Woltemade in front of Lerma to clear any danger that he may present, but the Colombian is going away from the goal in the dying minutes of the game, which makes the challenge by Botman even more careless.
Newcastle under the English manager have built a strong defence that can withstand pressure, before having to deal with the ball coming into dangerous areas for counter attacks. This season, their backline has been fragile and weak, which has led to their downfall.
The first goal from the French striker was also handed on a plate by a mistake from Tino Livramento.
The former ref is right. Why is he attempting to pull him down in the area? Only the Dutchman can tell you that, but what everyone can tell you is that he made it easy for the ref to point to the spot, which has directly cost his team.
In other news, Eddie Howe makes Champions League admission after Newcastle United defeat to Crystal Palace.
