Exclusive: Bruno Guimaraes escaped Damsgaard incident in Newcastle v Brentford
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could have conceded a stoppage time penalty during his side’s win over Brentford, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the Brazilian did not however deserve to be penalised for an earlier push on Mikkel Damsgaard inside his own area.
Guimaraes has attracted interest from Arsenal this season amid his form for Newcastle, although a deal may be difficult for the Gunners to do.
However, the midfielder himself was seemingly fortunate things did not backfire for him as the Magpies took on Brentford on Wednesday (2 April).
Bruno Guimaraes and Mikel Damsgaard clash twice
Eddie Howe‘s side claimed a 2-1 victory over the Bees in that game at St James’ Park, although they did have to do it the hard way.
After Alexander Isak had put Newcastle ahead on the stroke of half time, Brentford equalised thanks to a Bryan Mbeumo penalty midway through the second half.
The visitors then felt they should have had another penalty moments later, when Damsgaard went to ground inside the box after being pushed in the back by Guimaraes.
Referee Peter Bankes did not give a penalty, and Newcastle would then go back in front thanks to Sandro Tonali’s stunning strike.
That was enough to earn victory for the hosts, although they did have to survive a nervous moment deep into stoppage time.
| Newcastle last five games | Result |
| Liverpool (A) | Lost 2-0 |
| Brighton (H) | Lost 2-1 (After Extra Time) |
| West Ham (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Liverpool (N) | Won 2-1 |
| Brentford (H) | Won 2-1 |
Damsgaard and Guimaraes again clashed inside the Newcastle area, with both going to ground after the hosts’ captain appeared to catch his opponent late in the challenge.
Again Bankes chose not to point to the spot, with VAR also electing not to intervene over either of the two decisions.
Now, Hackett believes that while there was not enough in the push to award the first penalty appeal, Guimaraes may have been lucky when it came to the second incident.
Keith Hackett reacts to Brentford penalty claims vs Newcastle United
After being asked whether he felt Guimaraes’ first push on Damsgaard could have been given as a penalty, the former referee told Football Insider: “The referee is ideally positioned to judge that the Brentford player has gone to ground too easily and I confirm no penalty kick is the correct decision.”
On the issue of the second clash between those two players, Hackett then went on to add: “The Newcastle player has been very clever going to ground too easily while bringing down his opponent.
“Whilst the ball is not in playing distance they are fortunate that this challenge has not been identified as a foul.
“It’s off the referee’s diagonal so emphasis is placed on the assistant who has the best view to intervene. It would have been harsh but no surprise to me if the referee had pointed to the penalty mark.”
Brentford will next be in action at home to Chelsea on Sunday (6 April), while Newcastle travel to Leicester on Monday (7 April).