Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has praised Simon Hooper for getting the 'big decisions right' in the heated draw between Leeds United and Newcastle United. However, the ex-referee believes Junior Firpo was 'lucky' to avoid making full contact with Bruno Guimaraes in what could have been a straight red card for the full-back.
The Leeds defender was at the centre of nearly all of the game's key moments, with the 26-year-old winning the first penalty of the match after being fouled by Joelinton. Nick Pope saved Patrick Bamford's effort, before Newcastle equalised minutes later with their own spot-kick after Max Wober fouled Alexander Isak.
With the scores level after the interval, Firpo was then the subject of a VAR review for a lunge on Guimaraes. Hooper's on-field decision of a booking was allowed to stand, and Gallagher agreed with the call but felt the full-back was fortunate his challenge did not make full contact with the Magpies midfielder.
