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Charlie Bennett

Gary Lineker makes Alan Shearer VAR joke after key call spares Newcastle United's blushes

Gary Lineker quipped that Alan Shearer would have “loved” VAR after Newcastle United’s blushes were spared against Bournemouth. After falling a goal behind, the Magpies replied five minutes later - but were fortunate to do so.

Kieran Trippier’s cross hit Jefferson Lerma and - with little protest from the crowd - the referee signalled for a corner. However, VAR summoned Craig Pawson to the pitchside monitor and he awarded a penalty.

Alexander Isak made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick to rescue a point for Eddie Howe’s side. The decision came after Newcastle suffered the receiving end of controversial VAR calls against Liverpool and Crystal Palace in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Newcastle booed, Alexander Isak's brilliant reaction and brutal Bournemouth taunt - 5 things

Toon legend Shearer blasted the latter as “pathetic” a fortnight ago - a remark Match of the Day presenter Lineker did not forget. The 61-year-old joked: “Alan Shearer loves VAR today - he’ll be happy.”

On the incident itself, former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin agreed with VAR on the penalty call. “We don't normally say good things about VAR but I believe they got this one right,” he added. “Yes, he's very, very close but, having seen it from the correct angle, it gives it away.

“There's a little bit of a leaning there from Jefferson (Lerma). I thought it actually touched his knee first but I don’t think it does.”

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