Newcastle United boosted their hopes of claiming a Champions League place next season after a dramatic win at Nottingham Forest.
Newcastle United heads into the international break with back-to-back wins after a 2-1 victory at Nottingham Forest on Friday night – but the triumph was not without controversy.
Emmanuel Dennis had put the home side ahead with a brilliant chipped finish as he punished a Sven Botman mistake but record-signing Alexander Isak leveled matters before halftime.
Midway through the second half, the Swede provided a superb cross which was emphatically headed in by Elliot Anderson for his first Newcastle goal.
However, VAR got involved as they recommended Paul Tierney look at an offside from Sean Longstaff in the build-up to the goal. Despite two Forest defenders playing the ball before it came to Longstaff, he was deemed offside.
Isak made sure the decision did not become a major talking point as he hammered home a stoppage-time penalty.
The call to disallow Anderson’s goal was widely criticized, however, with former Newcastle players Steve Harper and Alan Shearer weighing in on the debate.
Newcastle’s academy chief Harper said: “That’s a dreadful VAR decision! How is it offside when two Forest players have intentionally played the ball before Longstaff becomes active?”
Shearer said the decision was “pathetic” and “stupid” as he praised Isak’s impact at the City Ground.
Replying to Shearer, Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling said: “Another VAR decision that sucks the joy from the game. Ridiculous.”
The result puts the Magpies a point behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth with a game in hand. Spurs do have the chance to re-extend their lead when they take on relegation-threatened Southampton on Saturday.
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