While the scoreline suggests a comfortable evening for Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, the 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven was not without its moments of controversy. Eddie Howe’s side put on a clinical display, with goals from Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon, and Harvey Barnes ensuring a smooth passage into the Champions League knockout stages.
However, despite the dominance on the pitch, a significant refereeing decision in the second half has left experts and fans questioning the effectiveness of the VAR system.
Newcastle entered the match knowing they needed a statement win to keep their hopes of a top-eight finish alive. They started with high intensity, and it wasn’t long before Yoane Wissa, the former Brentford man who seems to have found a new gear in European competition, opened the scoring.
By the time Anthony Gordon doubled the lead, the Magpies were firmly in control. Yet, as they pushed for a third goal to kill off the game, a flashpoint occurred in the penalty area that many believe should have resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts.
A pinpoint cross was swung into the box, perfectly flighted for Wissa, who was ghosting toward the back post. Just as the striker prepared to head the ball into an almost empty net, PSV defender Jerdy Schouten appeared to barge him firmly in the back.
The impact was enough to send Wissa sprawling to the turf, unable to make contact with the ball. To the amazement of the crowd and the Newcastle players, the referee waved play on. Even more surprisingly, the VAR officials did not deem the incident worthy of a second look, allowing the game to continue without a penalty being awarded.
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has since weighed in on the incident, and his assessment is blunt. Speaking after the match, Hackett made it clear that a significant error had been made.
He pointed out that Schouten made a “clear push” that directly prevented Wissa from challenging for the ball. In Hackett’s professional view, the defender’s actions constituted a foul, and Newcastle can feel rightly aggrieved that the officiating team, both on the pitch and in the video booth, failed to spot a blatant infringement.
| Match Event Summary | Timing | Description | Official Verdict |
| Yoane Wissa Goal | 18′ | Clinical finish from close range | Goal Given |
| Anthony Gordon Goal | 42′ | Powerful strike after solo run | Goal Given |
| Penalty Shout | 58′ | Schouten push on Wissa | No Penalty |
| Harvey Barnes Goal | 65′ | Sealed the win with a third | Goal Given |
Fortunately for Eddie Howe, the missed penalty did not cost his team. Harvey Barnes eventually added the third goal just minutes later, turning the remainder of the match into a victory lap. After the final whistle, Howe was understandably full of praise for his squad.
He noted that PSV is a tactically disciplined opponent proven by their earlier win over Liverpool at Anfield but felt his players “embraced the challenge” perfectly. He reserved special credit for Wissa, noting that the striker joined the club precisely for nights like this under the lights in the Champions League.
Howe also highlighted Anthony Gordon’s growth, stating that the young winger has reached a new level of maturity in European football. The manager described the evening as featuring some of the “best individual performances” he has seen from his group in a long time.
The win ensures that Newcastle will at least participate in the play-off round, though their eyes remain fixed on the automatic qualification spots.
While the “Magpies” will be thrilled with the points and the performance, the debate over the penalty incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing frustrations with VAR. In a tighter game, such a miss could have been disastrous.
For now, Newcastle can celebrate a professional job well done, but the quest for perfect officiating continues to be a talking point in the world’s most prestigious club competition.
