Former top referee rules on this 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 very eventful game at St James’ Park.

A match that Newcastle United deserved to win but plenty of ‘interesting’ moments in a very open match.

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

Wolves’ Santiago Bueno scores at a corner but it’s ruled out by the VAR for handball.

DERMOT GALLAGHER:

“This is the most frustrating rule in football for neutral fans.

“The law is if the ball strikes the scorer’s hand then it’s disallowed.

“The referee didn’t see it.”

This was a very easy decision for VAR.

As Dermot Gallagher points out, the referee on the pitch simply didn’t/couldn’t see the handball.

As he also says, people might not like it BUT it is the rule!

Newcastle United were on the receiving end of this rule being even more harsh, just three weeks ago. A Villa player blasted the ball at Bruno whose arm was in front of his body, the ball his his arm and then a Villa player before crossing the line, yet still disallowed. He had no advantage with his arm in front of his body, if it (his arm) had been up in the air in an unnatural position, the ball would have hit Bruno’s body and gone in.

Same rule, just on Wednesday night it was Newcastle’s turn to benefit.

Newcastle 3 Wolves 0 – Wednesday 15 January 2025 7.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 34, 57, Gordon 74

Wolves:

Possession was Newcastle 60% Wolves 40%

Total shots were Newcastle 17 Wolves 13

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Wolves 7

Corners were Newcastle 4 Wolves 2

Touches in the box Newcastle 32 Wolves 23

Newcastle team v Wolves:

Dubravka, Livramento (Trippier 85), Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton (Miley 83), Bruno, Murphy (Almiron 78), Isak (Osula 78), Gordon (Willock 78)

Unused subs:

Vlachodimos, Kelly, Krafth, Longstaff

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Weekend of Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle TBC (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)