PIERS MORGAN has been left fuming with VAR after it failed to rule out Newcastle’s “just pathetic” goal against Arsenal.
The Gunners lost their first match of the season after Anthony Gordon’s winner at St James’ Park.
However, his strike was only confirmed after three separate VAR checks from the officials which totalled four minutes and six seconds.
Replays were assessed at Stockley Park as the VAR officials checked whether the ball had gone out of play before looking at a possible foul and offside.
The ball had appeared to cross the touchline before it was crossed back into the Arsenal penalty area.
Gabriel then went to ground under the challenge of Joelinton before Gordon lashed the ball into an empty net.
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Despite the checks, the goal was eventually awarded, to the dismay of Gunners fan Morgan.
The broadcaster took to X, formerly Twitter, to react. He raged: “So we all just watched the ball go out of play, then Gabriel get fouled, and then a clear offside. But VAR still gave Newcastle the goal. Just pathetic.”
Another fan agreed, adding: “So, apart from the ball being out of play, a foul on Arsenal defender Gabriel and an offside VAR have given the goal to Newcastle. Shocking. Absolutely shocking.”
A third also wrote: “I give up. Refereeing just gets worse and worse every week. Absolutely embarrassing.”
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Meanwhile, one more fumed: “That was the longest VAR check ever.”
According to the Sky Sports broadcast, the offside review could not rule out the goal as there was “no available angle to see the point of contact” from Joelinton.
As a result, the third and final VAR check again stuck with the referee’s on-field decision.
Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to pull themselves level after the controversial opener.
Despite a late push for an equaliser, Newcastle held on to claim all three points.
It had already been a busy evening for the VAR officials before Gordon’s goal.
Both Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes were lucky to avoid red cards during the first half.
Havertz’s wild lunge earned him a yellow card despite the appeals of the Newcastle bench.
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His challenge was then followed by a rash elbow from Guimaraes, who smashed into the back of Jorginho after the ball had gone.
The Brazilian’s elbow went unpunished, though, with VAR checking the incident before waving play on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
