Ex-Sky Sports Football presenter Richard Keys drew no shortage of criticism from football supporters in the aftermath of Newcastle United's pulsating 2-2 draw at Leeds United on Saturday.
United were below-par for long periods in West Yorkshire, but having found themselves behind early and needing Nick Pope to save a Patrick Bamford penalty, the Magpies fought back to lead 2-1, only for the Whites to snatch a late leveller.
Keys, however, made a somewhat bizarre suggestion that the Toon's second half penalty for handball against Junior Firpo should not have stood. The claim drew derision and bewilderment from fans up and down the country, who could not quite believe his viewpoint.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp pays Newcastle United a big compliment as he assesses Liverpool's top four chances
Eddie Howe's men were awarded a penalty after VAR stepped in to advise on-field referee Simon Hooper that he should watch the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Hooper did just that, and after watching conclusive replays that showed Firpo's hand was above his head in a battle with Alexander Isak, rightly awarded the spot-kick which Callum Wilson then converted.
“That decision could relegate Leeds,” the beIN sports anchor wrote on social media. “How can they give that? There’s no conclusive proof Junior handles it - in fact I’m not sure he did - the ball didn’t change direction at all. It’s an incredible call for me.”
Keys then went on to raise the point of the amount of time the ball was in play at Elland Road: "Ball in play time at Elland Road - 43 mins 17 seconds. Not enough. Nowhere near enough from 100 minutes game time," he added.
READ NEXT
- Eddie Howe quizzed on whether Alexander Isak or Callum Wilson is Newcastle's official penalty taker
- Dominik Szoboszlai will be keeping close eye on Newcastle run-in after answering transfer question
- Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher deliver damning Newcastle United Champions League verdict
- Eddie Howe says Newcastle United have achieved more than they targeted at start of season
- Dan Ashworth takes in Leicester scouting mission as Newcastle United prepare for transfer summit
