Newcastle booked an important Premier League victory over Arsenal at St James’ Park, courtesy of a solitary strike by Anthony Gordon in the 64th minute.
However, in what has become an extremely worrying trend in the English top flight, the football played on the pitch again took a back seat to controversy over a crucial moment in the game.
The goal, the doubts and the fume
Unfortunately, Gordon’s goal and the things which happened in the buildup have emerged as practically the only talking point from this game. So let’s go over it, point by point.
Newcastle were on a break, with Joelinton trying to keep the attack alive under strong pressure from his opponents. He eventually got the ball to Jacob Murphy out wide on the right, and Murphy struck it across the box, in what could’ve been an attempted shot or a sharp cross, it’s hard to tell which. The ball went to the other side, and chased by Joe Willock, it appeared to have gone out of play.
But as the former Arsenal player brought it back in, the play was allowed to continue, and Willock whipped a cross to the far post where Gabriel Magalhaes was about to clear it, when he was pushed in the back by Joelinton, with both hands.
The Newcastle midfielder was thus able to bring the ball down to Gordon, who stood alone a yard from the goal-line and found it easy to slam home. To add to the general noise, the former Everton attacker looked like he could’ve been offside when Joelinton header the ball down.
Looking at it from every angle available, the ball really did look to have gone out of play, and what Joelinton did to Gabriel was a foul all day long. Gordon wasn’t offside when the ball was played to him, but it still left two perfectly valid reasons to have the goal ruled out. And yet, it was allowed to stand, and Newcastle were practically handed their victory.
Understandably, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was absolutely livid after the game. He said he felt sick and embarrassed that a goal that should’ve been ruled out for more than one reason was allowed to stand and to settle the match.
There are of course, other views on the matter. Some believe Arteta should mind his own business and worry about his team not outplaying the hosts and creating very little at St James’ Park. However, voices should certainly be raised, and those who have been wronged do have the right to protest. No changes for the better will otherwise ever be made.
It should also be said that referee Stuart Attwell appeared to have lost control of the game in the first half already, when Kai Havertz made a rather reckless tackle and earned a booking in the 37th minute. The Magpies protested fiercely, demanding a sending off for the Arsenal forward, and Attwell’s response was to book three players of the home team instead.
The game by numbers
And even the stats do not backup those who think Arsenal didn’t deserve anything from the game. Despite playing away from home, the Gunners controlled the ball for 60% of the time and took a total of 14 shots, compared to Newcastle’s nine. They also attempted more passes (342-484) with greater a greater accuracy percentage (79-84). They took 11 corners, Newcastle had none. They even committed less fouls, 14-9.
Table rankings
Be it all as it may, Newcastle have recorded fresh three points and reduced the gap between them and the top teams, at least for the time being, but there is a lot of work to be done still for Eddie Howe and his men if they intend to repeat the success of last season and secure a top-four finish.
At the moment, the Magpies are in sixth place with 20 points, two less than Aston Villa in fifth, and three less than Liverpool in fourth who are yet to play their game, away to Luton Town on Sunday evening.
As for Arsenal, they remain on 24 points and have now dropped from second to third place, with defending champions Manchester City taking the lead by smashing Bournemouth to reach the tally of 27. Spurs are now second with 26, and they will have the chance to reclaim the top spot on Monday evening when they welcome Chelsea.
It still seems the race at the top of the Premier League table will be very interesting this season.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
