VAR overturns early penalty as Newcastle lead Arsenal

Arsenal were denied an early penalty and fell behind to Newcastle in a Premier League match at St James Park on Sunday after a Video Assistant Referee review overturned an on-field spot-kick decision, leaving the visitors visibly aggrieved and reigniting debate over VAR use.

The incident occurred inside the opening 15 minutes when Viktor Gyökeres seized on a loose pass and tried to round Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. Referee Jarred Gillett initially pointed to the penalty spot after Gyökeres went to ground, but following a lengthy VAR review and an on-field pitchside check he reversed the call. Gillett announced that Pope had played the ball and that there was no foul, and the final decision was a drop ball. The referee was later heard on a hot mic telling Arsenal captain Declan Rice that Pope had touched the ball with his toe.

Replays from different angles showed Pope making contact with the ball before colliding with Gyökeres, a key factor in the review. The Premier League Match Centre posted the on-field announcement and said the additional angles supported the overturn. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacted strongly on the touchline after the reversal, prompting visible...