Former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer got into an angry argument with ex-referee Dermot Gallagher concerning an overturned penalty decision for the Magpies in their defeat against Arsenal.
Newcastle were beaten 2-0 at home by the Gunners, who kept alive their fading title hopes with the victory. Things could have gone differently, though, had a penalty award not been overturned with the game still goalless.
Referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot after the ball appeared to strike Jakub Kiwior on the arm, only to reverse his decision following a VAR check. Shearer was far from convinced, though, and took former ref Gallagher to task on the matter.
"The referee has given the penalty, and then obviously he's been told to go over to the screen because [VAR official] Michael Salisbury feels as if that's hit his leg first," Shearer said on Premier League Productions during the half-time break. "I've looked at it six or seven times, and I can't tell you for certain that's hit his leg first.
"I'd be fascinated to hear what Dermot says, because if it's taken the referee seven replays to look at then it's not clear and obvious," he added. After Gallagher said he was happy with the decision to overturn the call, though, Shearer raised his voice, asking "you think [it's hit Kiwior's thigh] or you know?" and demanding his fellow pundit "answer the question".
"You're absolutely 100 per cent certain that's hit his leg, on the replays that you've seen?" Shearer asked. "I can't see it, you must have better eyes than I have. Why has it taken seven replays if it's that certain?"
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The defeat means Newcastle still have work to do if they are to make sure of a top four finish. They were dealt a helping hand later on Sunday, though, with rivals Manchester United losing at West Ham.
Arsenal took the lead within minutes of the penalty call being overturned, with Martin Odegaard firing them into the lead with his 15th goal of the season. A Fabian Schar own goal in the second half made the points safe for the Gunners, who are now assured of a top-two finish.
"They started the game really brightly and that [a penalty] could have changed the course of the game, I don’t know," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "Minutes later we scored the goal and obviously that gave us composure, some calm and some ability as well to control the game and make them play the way they want to play very far from what they could do and obviously that helped."
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, meanwhile, rued the "fine margins" which cost his team. However, he opted to focus on the remaining games, with a top four finish still in their hands.
"We have four games remaining and need three results. Liverpool and other teams are coming," Howe told Sky Sports. "They are top level. We can only do what we can do and I believe in the character of the team to get it over the line."
