Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines on Monday, October 17.
Newcastle United star Nick Pope sheds light on furious Ronaldo row as Man United left reeling
Nick Pope has cleared up the Ronaldo row that left Old Trafford fans fuming on Sunday.
The goalkeeper remained motionless as the Manchester United legend nicked the ball off him before rounding him and slotting home before the whole Red Devils team surrounded Craig Pawson appealing for a goal. But Pope explained the situation and told Chronicle Live:
"The free-kick was slightly in the wrong place and obviously Fabby's (Schar) rolled it back to me and walked off. I think you know by everyone's body language that you know he's not meaning to take a free-kick. I think the referee sorted it out quickly and fair play to him for making the right decision and squashed it straight away."
The Erling Haaland decision which raises Newcastle VAR question after Man Utd draw
Newcastle United's latest result has once again been plagued by questions over VAR and the on-field decisions. Eddie Howe's side maintained their impressive start to the season with a goalless draw at Manchester United.
Both sides were left aggrieved by calls made by referee Craig Pawson, with the visitors seeing a strong first-half penalty appeal waved away. Callum Wilson was brought down by Raphael Varane inside the box following a collision, but no spot-kick was awarded.
The incident was reviewed on the latest edition of Sky Sports' 'Ref Watch' segment by former referee Dermot Gallgher and pundit Danny Mills. The ex-England international raised doubts over the 'clear and obvious' remit by comparing the penalty appeal to the VAR decision to chalk off Manchester City's goal in the defeat at Liverpool.
Unpopular Manchester United moment highlights ruthless streak Newcastle United are missing
49 minutes into Sunday's stalemate between Manchester United and Newcastle United and the oldest player on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo, decided to use his vast experience to shamelessly try and steal the lead for the home side.
After the Portuguese superstar had been flagged offside, Nick Pope waited to take the resulting free-kick before Ronaldo stole the dead ball from him and rolled it into the open Newcastle goal. The veteran and his Red Devils teammates were adamant he was well within his rights to do so, arguing the free-kick had already been taken by Fabian Schar.
As referee Craig Pawson blew his whistle and disallowed the goal, as many as nine Manchester United players surrounded the official, shrieking in his face to argue why the goal should stand. Only Luke Shaw and David de Gea decided against sprinting over to give 43-year-old a piece of their mind.
Eddie Howe explains Newcastle United plan for Jonjo Shelvey after return at Manchester United
Jonjo Shelvey will be eased back into the fold at Newcastle United after making Eddie Howe's matchday squad for the first time this season at the weekend. Shelvey was an unused substitute for the 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford as the Magpies struggled in front of goal.
The creative midfielder has been on the treatment table since early August and was expected to be missing until after the winter World Cup. Howe has confirmed Shelvey will return before the showpiece but only after he has improved his fitness.
"Jonjo's a huge personality, huge player," the Newcastle boss told reporters. "I'd love to have been able to bring him on today but it was probably difficult to do that.
Newcastle's defence tops the table, Ronaldo record extended and Howe's 'difficult' situation
Newcastle United's bid to upset the Premier League apple cart may come to fruition sooner than anticipated as the Magpies continue their fine start to the season. Eddie Howe's side are now becoming a really tough team to beat both at home and on the road after adding another point to their tally with a spirited 0-0 draw against Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag's side put up a good fight at Old Trafford, almost snatching all three points for themselves with a late onslaught Newcastle did well to weather. The Tyneside outfit remain sixth in the Premier League, one place behind Sunday's opponents, with a busy schedule ahead of them before the World Cup break next month.
With only one defeat to their name in the league, Newcastle are now also the only Premier League side to have conceded less than 10 goals this season, with only nine scored against them thus far. Each of the clubs currently occupying the top four have conceded 10, while Brighton have shipped 11, Liverpool 12 and Manchester United 15.
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