Nottingham Forest lost 4-3 to Newcastle at St James’ Park on a day when the gap between the Reds and fifth was narrowed down to just three points.
Forest started well in the North East. Callum Hudson-Odoi fired the Reds in front after just six minutes but what followed in the first half was frankly unforgivable.
Lewis Miley restored parity for the hosts on 23 minutes and just 11 minutes later, Newcastle found themselves 4-1 to the good after turning the game completely on its head.
VAR was once again at the centre of the debate that still rumbles on. Forest were guilty of giving a penalty away with the score at 2-1 after Ola Aina handled the ball inside the box.
Forest supporters will have been unhappy with the VAR after an on-field decision was recommended. The same referee working VAR yesterday was Peter Bankes, who did not award the Reds a penalty at Wolves for a fairly identical incident.
Dermot Gallagher’s assessment on Newcastle’s penalty vs Nottingham Forest
It should come as no surprise that Gallagher has supported the match officials in this situation. Given the nature of Aina’s actions, he is probably correct in doing so.
Given the current instruction, it appears that the correct decision was ultimately made. However, Forest will be disappointed because the VAR was the same official who denied the Reds a penalty against Wolves.
Gallagher agreed with Bankes on the day, telling Sky Sports: “The guidance is, arm shoulder height or above? Which it is. Bear in mind that he is also jumping. Second, it does block the cross.
“I believe under the directives, that is a penalty.
Forest will hope VAR evens out by the business end of 2024/25.
Fortunately, this season, Forest has been mostly satisfied with VAR and the rulings it has produced, with the Reds not getting a hard deal.
After the VAR missed an obvious pull on Murillo during yesterday’s match, Forest may be hoping for better success in the final 12 games of the season.
The Reds must guarantee that a reset occurs following some clumsy defending on Sunday. Nuno Espirito Santo will now earn his money, and ideally, home comforts will benefit Forest on Wednesday night.
