Gary Neville was relieved to see Newcastle United eventually earn three points after Elliot Anderson’s controversial disallowed goal. Midway through the first half, Toon supporters were raging when VAR intervened to chalk off a second Newcastle goal.
Felipe appeared to clear a cross from Alexander Isak towards Sean Longstaff, who had previously been hovering in an offside position. Moussa Niakhate blasted a second clearance off the Magpies’ midfielder, with the rebound falling to Isak.
A second cross by the Swedish superstar found Anderson at the back post, who leaped above Serge Aurier to head home. Rapturous scenes from the away end were paused as Paul Tierney was summoned to the pitchside monitor to overturn his decision.
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Thankfully for Eddie Howe, his side were awarded a stoppage-time penalty - which Isak buried to secure all three points. Former Manchester United captain Neville was left “bemused” by the call - but believes justice was ultimately served.
“I've never really wanted a referee specialist on Sky but tonight I feel like I do,” he told Sky Sports post-match. “He’s in an offside position there Longstaff and we're obviously thinking that (because the) ball gets played across by a Nottingham Forest defender, that’s not offside.
“For me, he's (Forest defender) definitely played that ball. I've been there many times as a defender, where I've obviously tried to clear it and it has not quite gone where I wanted it to.
“I'm a little bit bemused. There might be a lot cleverer people than me that will explain why that is a deflection and not a deliberate play.
“In some ways, I'm glad Newcastle won the game because it takes away the edge for everybody, including the officials. If that had been 1-1, Eddie Howe would have been absolutely fuming.”
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