St. James' Park was left in a state of disbelief and fury as a potential late equaliser from Anthony Gordon was dramatically chalked off following a protracted VAR review, handing Liverpool a narrow and controversial victory.
The Magpies thought they had snatched a point in the dying moments of a fiercely contested Premier League clash. However, joy turned to despair as the video assistant referee advised on-pitch official Anthony Taylor to disallow the goal after a meticulous check for a possible offside in the build-up.
Howe's Fury at 'Inconsistent' Officiating
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe did not hold back in his post-match assessment, labelling the decision "poor" and expressing his profound frustration. "We're at the mercy of the officials' interpretation," a visibly frustrated Howe stated. "It's a huge moment in the game, and for it to go against us in that manner is incredibly tough to take."
Howe pointed to a perceived lack of consistency, suggesting that similar incidents have been judged differently in other matches, leaving clubs and fans confused by the application of the rules.
A Game of Fine Margins
The controversial moment overshadowed what was a hard-fought battle. Liverpool had earlier taken the lead and managed to withstand significant pressure from the home side. The disallowed goal became the definitive moment, deciding the match's outcome and leaving Newcastle empty-handed.
The incident is sure to reignite the intense debate surrounding the use of VAR in the Premier League, with calls for greater clarity and consistency in decision-making likely to grow louder.
