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Eddie Howe believes the match officials were right to award Anthony Gordon’s goal in Newcastle United’s 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
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Gordon equalised in the sixth minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, quickly cancelling out Dominic Solanke’s opener. Spurs surrounded referee Andy Madley to protest after the ball struck the hand of Joelinton before Bruno Guimaraes picked up the loose ball and played in Gordon.
Following a VAR check, the goal stood. The Premier League explained the decision via their Match Centre account on X: “The referee’s call of goal was confirmed by VAR, who checked for a potential handball by Joelinton in the build-up and deemed that his arm was by his side, in a natural position and the contact was accidental.”
Alexander Isak put the Magpies 2-1 up in the 38th minute and that proved to be the winner to secure a sixth consecutive win in all competitions. After the game, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said it was the angriest he had ever felt in his managerial career.
"I know you just want me to say something, but I'm not going to. I think it's clear. Whether people agree with me or not, you think it wasn't handball or it was accidental or whatever, I'm just not interested in any of that discussion,” said the Aussie.
"What I'm saying is that on any given day, with a fair and even playing field and logical thought processes, we would have won that game. That's it. You can make what you want of that. I don't know what else to say about it."
While the Gordon goal split opinion, former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed the officials reached the correct decision. Howe was also under the impression that the goal was right to stand, based on the rules.
“I can’t sit here and lie and say I haven’t seen it because I have,” said Howe. “It definitely hit Joelinton’s arm, I can give you that as well. But I’m not in control of the referee’s decision.
“I believe his arm is down in a natural position and I think the referee and VAR have followed the rules and protocols that are in place so that’s why it is given.”
The FA laws stipulate that the goal would have only been ruled out had Joelinton scored immediately after the ball touched his hand - even though the contact has been deemed accidental.