Dermot Gallagher gives bizarre judgement on controversial Newcastle v Wolves incident | OneFootball

Dermot Gallagher reviews controversial decisions in the Premier League after each round of games, on behalf of Sky Sports.

The former top referee has now given his call on this incident in the Newcastle v Wolves match.

Dermot Gallagher looking at what happened during a key moment in this match at St James’ Park.

At the time, the game was goalless.

Dermot Gallagher talking to Sky Sports about this Newcastle v Wolves controversial incident:

Yerson Mosquera makes contact with Harvey Barnes right on the edge of the Wolves penalty area, which could have led to a red card for the Wolves defender for denying a goalscoring opportunity and possibly a penalty. Instead, the on the pitch referee Chris Kavanagh didn’t even give a free-kick. Then having his first experience as a VAR in the Premier League, Timothy Wood seeing nothing wrong after the briefest of checks.

DERMOT GALLAGHER VERDICT

“I think it’s a foul and a yellow card but it’s not in the penalty area. I don’t think it’s a penalty.

“Barnes is not in possession of the ball. Definitely foul, but just a yellow card.”

FORMER PLAYER JAY BOTHROYD’S  VERDICT ON SKY SPORTS:

“I think it’s a penalty.

“Barnes has run onto the ball there and the defender has charged into him.

“And it’s a forearm smash into his face as well.

“Anywhere else on the pitch, that’s a foul. I don’t know what the referee is looking at.”

Quite incredible that Dermot Gallagher doesn’t think it was a red card.

Whether it was a penalty or not is debatable, as the incident is right on the edge of the box.

What is not in dispute (or shouldn’t be!) is that it was a clear cynical foul by Mosquera who was the last defender, so it had to be a red card.

Indeed, another former referee, Keith Hackett, has said exactly this, you couldn’t have a clearer sending off, especially when you look at the replays and the obvious intent from the defender, with Barnes through on goal.

Newcastle 1 Wolves 0 – Saturday 13 September 2025 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Woltemade 29

Wolves:

Possession was Newcastle 57% Wolves 43%

Total shots were Newcastle 16 Wolves 8

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 Wolves 3

Corners were Newcastle 10 Wolves 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 29 Wolves 23

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 65), Barnes (Elanga 80), Woltemade (Osula 65), Murphy (Botman 95)

Subs: