Man United lucky to avoid a penalty against Newcastle

The sole Premier League fixture on Boxing Day saw Man United secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Newcastle. The decisive moment arrived in the first half when Patrick Dorgu struck a sublime volley that flew past Aaron Ramsdale. This goal, Dorgu’s first for the club, ultimately separated the 2 sides in a high-stakes encounter.

Despite the scoreline, the visitors from the North East were far from inferior. Newcastle controlled large periods of the game, boasting superior possession and creating several clear-cut opportunities. The most agonizing moment for the Magpies came when Lewis Hall unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar, leaving the home crowd breathless.

However, the game’s biggest talking point occurred in the second half. Following a corner kick, Fabian Schar’s goalbound effort struck the arm of United defender Lisandro Martinez. Initial replays showed Martinez’s arm stretched above his head, prompting a lengthy VAR review. Although referee Anthony Taylor paused the game, he was not instructed to visit the pitch-side monitor.

The officials eventually ruled that no penalty would be awarded. It was understood that because Martinez was wrestling with Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw, his arm position was deemed a natural consequence of the physical tussle. 

This decision sparked fury among the Newcastle players and manager Eddie Howe, who felt they were once again victims of a poor officiating call following a similar incident against Chelsea weeks prior.

Speaking after the match on Sky Sports, Gary Neville admitted the hosts were lucky. "There is a massive shout. His arm is up above his head and it's stretched," Neville remarked. He suggested that the only thing saving Martinez was the fact he was "wrestling" with another center-back, meaning his arms were already positioned there before the ball was struck.

Unsurprisingly, the incident became a viral sensation on social media, with Newcastle fans expressing intense rage toward the officiating crew. 

This missed opportunity proved costly for their European ambitions. The defeat leaves Newcastle in 11th place with 23 points, and they now risk falling 9 points behind the top 5 by the end of the round.

In contrast, the victory propels Ruben Amorim’s side to 5th place with 29 points, momentarily leapfrogging Liverpool on goal difference. Man United will look to maintain this momentum when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, December 30.