‘I can’t lie’ – Eddie Howe’s honest view on Anthony Gordon goal as Postecoglou left raging

Eddie Howe expressed his belief that the match officials made the correct decision in allowing Anthony Gordon’s goal during Newcastle United’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Gordon’s sixth-minute equalizer came swiftly after Dominic Solanke had given Spurs an early lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The incident sparked protests from Spurs players, who surrounded referee Andy Madley to argue that Joelinton had handled the ball in the build-up to the goal. Despite their objections, a VAR check confirmed the goal stood.

The Premier League later clarified the decision through their Match Centre account on X, stating, “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.”

This explanation reinforced the interpretation of the rules, which absolve players of unintentional handball if their arm is in a natural position and the contact does not directly lead to a goal.

Alexander Isak scored Newcastle’s second goal in the 38th minute, which ultimately secured the team’s sixth consecutive victory across all competitions. Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, however, expressed frustration after the match, describing it as the angriest he had ever felt during his managerial career.

Postecoglou refrained from explicitly criticizing the officials but hinted at his dissatisfaction, stating, “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.”

While the legitimacy of Gordon’s goal divided opinions, former Premier League referee Mike Dean sided with the officials, agreeing that the decision aligned with the rules. Eddie Howe also supported the verdict, explaining his understanding of the regulations.

“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.”

Howe further elaborated, “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.”

This adherence to the FA’s laws, which stipulate that a goal would only be disallowed if the ball directly touched a player’s hand or arm and led immediately to a goal, was pivotal in the decision-making process. Since Joelinton’s contact was deemed accidental and did not result in an immediate scoring opportunity, the goal remained valid.

The controversy surrounding this incident highlights the ongoing challenges referees and VAR officials face in interpreting the rules consistently. While Tottenham’s camp voiced their dissatisfaction, Newcastle fans and players celebrated the decision, which played a crucial role in their hard-fought win.

Newcastle’s recent form, marked by their sixth consecutive victory, underscores their rising momentum under Howe’s management. The ability to secure such results, even amid contentious moments, demonstrates the team’s resilience and tactical discipline.

On the other hand, the result adds to Spurs’ growing frustrations, with Postecoglou emphasizing his belief that his team deserved better outcomes in such situations.

The fallout from this match serves as a reminder of the fine margins that can define outcomes in high-stakes football. It also underscores the importance of clarity in the application of rules to maintain the integrity of the game.

As Newcastle continues to build on their impressive run, their focus will remain on sustaining their form and pushing further up the Premier League table, while Tottenham seeks to regroup and overcome the setbacks that have disrupted their campaign.