Callum Wilson’s opening goal for Newcastle against Tottenham certainly split opinion, with Alan Shearer among those to take an opposing view to Jamie Redknapp.
Wilson notched first in the Premier League's late kick-off on Sunday, with VAR ruling in his favour after a clash with Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. The Newcastle striker got in behind the home defence before running into Lloris outside the penalty area after the Frenchman had left his penalty area and elected to control on his chest.
With Lloris falling to the ground theatrically, Wilson collected the loose ball and lofted it over the retreating defenders to make it 1-0. After a long consultation, VAR deemed the incident to be a simple coming together, rather than a foul, meaning the goal stood.
The decision was greeted with delight from former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer. “Never a FK. Well done @CallumWilson,” he wrote on Twitter. But his opinion was not shared by Redknapp, who took the opposing view.
“I think it’s a foul, I think he impedes him,” he said at half-time on Sky Sports’ coverage. “He (Lloris) comes out, Wilson bumps into him… unbelievable composure to score, but I think I would be so disappointed if I’m Spurs’ manager [or] players. Look at his arm there, it’s a foul. They bump into each other and he impedes him.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should the goal have stood? Did Callum Wilson foul Hugo Lloris? Comment below.
Former Newcastle and Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand disagreed with Redknapp. “The goalkeeper would normally get the decision but I’m glad he didn’t,” he said. “They were both going together, as the ball goes over, great run, great ball, Lloris takes the touch and I don’t see where Wilson can go.”
Ferdinand’s opinion was backed up by another ex-striker, Clinton Morrison, who was providing co-commentary on BBC 5Live. “The goal had to be given, Wilson didn't move him arm into the goalkeeper,” Morrison said. “It's controversial but for me the goal had to stand. Hugo Lloris should have just moved Wilson out of the way.”
Redknapp wasn’t the only person to disagree with VAR’s call. Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster was furious with the call which went against Lloris. “This Callum Wilson goal HAS to be disallowed,” he tweeted.
“If an outfield player knocks it past an opposing player and they’re in their way like that, it’s a FOUL. Every single time. The GK is the player in control of the ball, if he beats the striker to the ball, and the striker is in the way, unfortunately it’s a foul. There’s nothing the striker can do about it, but it’s still a foul!”
Things went from bad to worse for Spurs when Miguel Almiron jumped on some poor defending to weave his way into the box and slot past Lloris to send Newcastle into the break at 2-0 and threaten Spurs' perfect home record in the Premier League this season.
Harry Kane got a goal back for Antonio Conte's men, but the Magpies took all three points back to Tyneside.
