Newcastle vs Arsenal: EPL Explains VAR Decision to Allow Goal by Anthony Gordon

• Newcastle United handed Arsenal their first defeat of the season in controversial circumstances
• Antony Gordon's close-range finish in the second half survived three different checks by the VAR
• The Premier League, through an ex-official, has tried to shed light on the St. James Park incident

For the umpteenth time this season, the Premier League has been forced to offer an explanation as to why a certain decision was arrived at by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

The latest controversial decision came in the form of Anthony Gordon's goal being allowed to stand during their English top flight match against Arsenal on November 4.

The VAR took almost four minutes to check three different phases of play before rubberstamping the goal. The decision was the difference between the two sides, as Mikel Arteta's side suffered their first defeat of the season.

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In the 64th minute, Joe Willock delivered a cross into the box, but replays showed the ball might have strayed past the line already.

The second issue VAR had a look at was whether Joelinton handled the ball as he laid it off to Gordon and whether he had fouled Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes.

The last issue was whether or not Gordon was offside. The Magpies survived all these checks, with centre referee, Stuart Attwell awarding the goal.

Newcastle game: Why VAR made decision

Former Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher has lifted the lid on why the VAR took such a decision.

"The whole of the ball has to be over the whole of the line. You can look at it from that angle, and it is impossible to tell," he told the league's website.

In cases of inconclusive angles, the benefit of the doubt is often given to the team that had the ball at that time since there is 'no evidence to say the ball is out of play.'

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"We see it with corners where it looks over the circumference, but the ball overhangs, so they are allowed to play. I think that might be the problem with this, that they can't be sure that some of that ball isn't overhanging the line," he concluded.

Arsenal fans react to Newcastle goal

Sports Brief has also reported on Arsenal fans lamenting a 'daylight robbery' after their team suffered their first defeat of the season to Newcastle United.

The Magpies claimed all three points at St James’ Park in a crunch Premier League encounter as Anthony Gordon got a controversial goal in the 64th minute.

In truth, it was a scrappy score that summed up the extremely tight nature of the game, as both teams would feel as if several decisions had gone against them.