Hackett Exclusive: ‘VAR should have intervened’ after Man City controversy vs Newcastle
Phil Foden was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday evening.
The St James’ Park showdown exploded into life in the second half, with Harvey Barnes opening the scoring from range, only for Ruben Dias to equalise in minutes.
Barnes then scored a second, but it could have been so much different for Pep Guardiola and City.
After Erling Haaland missed two huge chances, Foden was taken out by Fabian Schar in the box after hitting a shot wide in the opening 45 minutes.
Despite the clear, dangerous nature of the foul on Foden, play continued with no intervention from VAR.
Manchester City should have been given penalty vs Newcastle
Keith Hackett was left scratching his head at the decision, insisting it was a foul regardless of the shot and that VAR should have intervened.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-PGMOL chief and FIFA-listed referee admitted that it would have been given as a foul anywhere else on the pitch.
“Manchester City can feel aggrieved that a penalty kick was not awarded for the late challenge on Phil Foden,” Hackett said after watching footage.
“It was a foul, and the fact that Foden played the ball forward does not, in law, negate the foul.
“If this were in midfield and the player plays the ball forward and then fouled, it is a free kick. VAR should have intervened.”
Manchester City waste Premier League chance
Manchester City missed a golden opportunity after Liverpool crashed to defeat against Nottingham Forest earlier on Saturday.
With Arsenal taking on Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday, Guardiola’s men could have been only one point behind the Gunners with a win.
Foden will argue that this penalty decision transformed the whole game, with Newcastle able to feed off the raucous home crowd to push for all three points.
With VAR also favouring Newcastle for the winning goal, using Dias’ sleeve to keep Bruno Guimaraes onside, there’s no doubt why those in blue were raging at full-time.
Bayer Leverkusen and Leeds United are next up at The Etihad, and it could be a bad time for them to come up against a City side out for revenge.