28 October 2023 , 18:48
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Alan Shearer admitted he thinks his beloved Newcastle shouldn't have been awarded a penalty against Wolves.
The Magpies were controversially given a spot kick, which they took a 2-1 lead from, in added-time of the first half at Molineux on Saturday following a lengthy VAR review. Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan was adjudged to have tripped Newcastle defender Fabian Schar in the box after successive corners for the away side.
A two-minute review from the officials at Stockley Park followed but referee Anthony Taylor's decision stood on a day when VAR once again came under scrutiny in the Premier League. Replays showed that Schar went down until minimal contact from Hwang, and after Callum Wilson gave Eddie Howe side's the lead for the second time in the match, Shearer to give his honest verdict.
"Not a pen for me," Shearer posted alongside three laughing emojis. His response came after a social media user claimed that the ex-Newcastle striker and St James' Park legend wouldn't slam the decision.
Shearer's old teammate, Shay Given, however, believes that VAR were right not to send Taylor to review his decision on the pitch-side monitor. "I don't think it's a clear and obvious error from the referee," Given declared at half-time on Sky Sports.
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"There's angles that will say its a penalty and there's angles that will say it's not a penalty. I don't think it's a clear and obvious error from the first angle I see live. Schar has been clever, he goes down relatively easy perhaps. Newcastle get a bit lucky."
Former England international Karen Carney disagreed with her fellow pundit and affirmed: "I don't think it was a penalty. I think as you say he's tried to slow down at the last minute, but it's not overturned so VAR went with it."
Have your say! Do you think Newcastle should've been awarded a penalty? Join the debate in the comments section.
A lengthy VAR check resulted in referee Anthony Taylor's original decision standing (ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)Hwang got the last laugh in the second half, though, scoring a brilliant equaling goal on 71 minutes. The in-form South Korean benefitted from good work by Wolves teammate Toti Gomes on the right flank and received the ball in the penalty area after making a darting run.
Hwang proceeded to outfox Magpies left-back Dan Burn, who slid in hoping to block the Wolves striker's shot. But Hwang held off and cut inside, coolly slotting the ball past Nick Pope to set up a grandstand finish - although the contest still finished 2-2.