Newcastle United’s frustration deepened after their 3-1 defeat to Brentford, and this time, much of the anger was directed toward referee Stuart Attwell and the officials.
It was yet another disappointing away day for Eddie Howe’s side, who have not managed a single Premier League win on the road since April. Despite Harvey Barnes’ first-half goal that gave Newcastle a 1-0 lead, the team once again failed to hold on, marking a second straight game where they took the lead only to collapse in the second half following their previous 3-1 defeat to West Ham.
The match at the Gtech Community Stadium was a story of missed opportunities, poor decisions, and controversial officiating. Eddie Howe’s men started brightly, showing flashes of the intensity that once defined their campaign last season.
Barnes’ strike offered a moment of hope, but it didn’t last long. As the game wore on, defensive lapses and questionable refereeing calls tilted the momentum firmly in Brentford’s favor. Dan Burn’s dismissal became the turning point, and Brentford capitalized immediately. Igor Thiago converted the resulting penalty before sealing the win with another goal deep into stoppage time.
However, former Premier League referee chief Keith Hackett has now weighed in on the incident, defending Newcastle and suggesting the officials made two crucial mistakes. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett stated that Newcastle “have every right to feel aggrieved” about how events unfolded.
He explained that the first major call involved a challenge inside the Brentford penalty area, where Newcastle should have been awarded a spot-kick. Despite a VAR review, no penalty was given. Then, just moments later, the game swung dramatically in the opposite direction.
Chasing a Brentford forward, Burn was adjudged to have committed a foul on Dango Ouattara inside the box a decision that led to his second yellow card and subsequent dismissal. Hackett insists there was no foul at all, calling it a “poor piece of officiating.”
He emphasized that the video replays clearly showed minimal contact and that both the penalty and second yellow card were unwarranted. According to him, the refereeing errors drastically changed the course of the game, stripping Newcastle of their defensive structure and morale.
“Two big incidents in this game concerning Dan Burn of Newcastle United,” Hackett said. “The first was a clear trip inside the penalty area that should have resulted in a penalty for Newcastle and wasn’t, even after VAR intervention.
Minutes later, Burn was chasing down a forward who went to ground, and this time, a penalty was wrongly awarded along with a second yellow card. Reviewing the footage, there was no foul no penalty, and certainly no reason for a red card.”
With Burn sent off, Howe was forced to make adjustments, introducing young defender Lewis Hall into the match. The 21-year-old tried to steady the backline, but by that point, Brentford had already seized control.
In hindsight, some fans and pundits believe that introducing Hall earlier could have helped preserve Newcastle’s fragile lead or at least secure a valuable point away from home.
The defeat leaves Newcastle in a worrying position heading into the international break. After West Ham’s victory over Burnley, Howe’s men sit just two points above the relegation zone in 14th place a far cry from the European-chasing form they displayed last season.
The pressure is mounting on Howe, with questions growing about his tactics, team selections, and his ability to turn around Newcastle’s dreadful away form.
Below is a quick summary of the key incidents and their impact on the match:
| Incident | Description | Outcome | Controversy Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burn’s first penalty shout | Burn fouled in Brentford’s box | No penalty awarded | High – VAR failed to intervene correctly |
| Burn’s foul on Ouattara | Minimal contact but penalty given | Brentford equalized; Burn sent off | Very High – Incorrect red card |
| Igor Thiago’s late goal | Brentford seal 3-1 win | Newcastle reduced to 10 men | Low – Fair play continuation |
| Newcastle’s away record | No Premier League away win since April | Ongoing poor form | Concerning for Howe |
Newcastle’s growing frustration is understandable. Poor refereeing decisions can shape the outcome of games, and in this case, they may have cost them crucial points. Hackett’s comments will only add to the debate about the consistency of officiating and the effectiveness of VAR in the Premier League.
For Howe, the focus now turns to regrouping his players, addressing defensive discipline, and finding a way to end this troubling away slump before it drags them deeper into the relegation fight.
