Dermot Gallagher believes VAR official Lee Mason lead referee Michael Salisbury down a 'very narrow path' as he disallowed Newcastle's goal against Crystal Palace. The call to rule out the goal - on the basis of a Joe Willock foul on Vicente Guaita - has been one of the most talked about decisions of the weekend in a poor showing from VAR officials.
The former Premier League referee believes the Magpies should have been awarded a penalty for the foul on the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, with the goal right to be ruled out. Gallagher told Sky Sports: "I think when VAR has looked at it, that's what he's focussed on, he's focussed on this incident, Willock go into Guaita. Without doubt, if you take that incident in isolation, that's a foul.
"There's no doubt, the goalkeeper is going to clear the ball and it's a foul. I think he's focused on that and he's thought foul, what he hasn't done - I think he should focus here on the whole outcome [on the push] as that's when the foul occurs. Because he doesn't focus here, it doesn't [get given].
