Gary Lineker quipped that Alan Shearer would have “loved” VAR after Newcastle United’s blushes were spared against Bournemouth. After falling a goal behind, the Magpies replied five minutes later - but were fortunate to do so.
Kieran Trippier’s cross hit Jefferson Lerma and - with little protest from the crowd - the referee signalled for a corner. However, VAR summoned Craig Pawson to the pitchside monitor and he awarded a penalty.
Alexander Isak made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick to rescue a point for Eddie Howe’s side. The decision came after Newcastle suffered the receiving end of controversial VAR calls against Liverpool and Crystal Palace in recent weeks.
READ MORE: Newcastle booed, Alexander Isak's brilliant reaction and brutal Bournemouth taunt - 5 things
Toon legend Shearer blasted the latter as “pathetic” a fortnight ago - a remark Match of the Day presenter Lineker did not forget. The 61-year-old joked: “Alan Shearer loves VAR today - he’ll be happy.”
On the incident itself, former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin agreed with VAR on the penalty call. “We don't normally say good things about VAR but I believe they got this one right,” he added. “Yes, he's very, very close but, having seen it from the correct angle, it gives it away.
“There's a little bit of a leaning there from Jefferson (Lerma). I thought it actually touched his knee first but I don’t think it does.”
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