Eddie Howe has offered his verdict on the decision to award his team a late penalty against Tottenham Hotspur, but Thomas Frank holds a very different opinion on the matter.
Tottenham Hotspur were already two goals down very early into a disappointing London derby defeat to Fulham last Saturday. Tuesday’s visit to Newcastle was a different story, with neither side able to break the deadlock for the opening 70 minutes.
However, the hosts took the lead through super sub Bruno Guimaraes. Cristian Romero responded for Spurs with a headed effort, but Newcastle took the lead again thanks to Anthony Gordon, who also came off the bench.
The goal was considered to be controversial, as it was scored from the penalty spot after VAR suggested Rodrigo Bentancur committed a foul against Dan Burn.
Thomas Frank slams VAR’s decision against Tottenham
Referee Thomas Bramall did not initially award Newcastle a penalty when Burn fell in the box, and even the Sky Sports commentators agreed that a foul had not been committed.
However, VAR intervened to claim Rodrigo Bentancur had indeed brought down the England international with no intention of winning the ball. In response, Thomas Frank has slammed the decision, claiming that the referee made the correct call the first time around.
He told Sky Sports: “At 2-1 down, it was an absolute mistake from the VAR. The ref did good to make the ref call, and they encourage the refereeing call on the pitch. For me, that is never a penalty.”
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe seemed less opinionated than Frank after the game, but he was willing to back the decision to give his team a penalty.
He said: “I hadn’t seen it [the Bentancur foul], I’m only seeing it now. The big thing is the defender isn’t looking at the ball at all, he’s looking at Dan [Burn]. I think it’s probably the right call.”
Rodrigo Bentancur was at fault for Spurs
It is hard to imagine a referee giving a penalty like this every single week, for a challenge you often see at least ten times a game. The decision to award Newcastle a spot kick certainly seemed a bit soft.
This, however, does not let Bentancur off the hook. It is clear he made no effort to head the ball clear, and he gave VAR the ability to search for foul play.
The midfielder has been lambasted by Spurs fans all season long, and mistakes like this will do nothing to help boost his worsening reputation at the club.
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