Newcastle United's first-half strike against Southampton was ruled out because VAR didn't 'have enough evidence' to overturn Stuart Atwell's on-field decision at St Mary's. Joelinton thought he'd put the away side ahead when he smashed the ball home from less than six yards shortly before the interval.
However, he was judged to have handled the ball when he brought it under control before his finish. Atwell wasted no time blowing his whistle in real-time after Southampton players brought the incident to his attention.
But many Newcastle supporters believed the ball had hit Joelinton's torso rather than his hand. However, VAR reviewed the incident and deemed they could not see sufficient evidence to reverse the decision.
READ MORE: Southampton 0-1 Newcastle United highlights and reaction
VAR did come to Newcastle's rescue midway through the second half when Adam Armstrong felt he had found the net for the home side. The former Magpies star bundled the ball home from close range but upon review looked to have handled it himself in the process.
The decision was a huge let off for Newcastle who had taken the lead minutes earlier. Joelinton's strike counted this time around as he slotted home from six yards out.
Speaking about the disallowed Newcastle goal in the first half, former St James' Park goalkeeper Shay Given told Sky Sports: "I’m not sure. I understand [the referee sees it from a certain angle], and the ref says he thinks it’s a handball, but then VAR - which we said before tonight we have VAR and we have it for a reason - and that angle proves it comes off his hip or his stomach. It’s a legitimate goal.
"It’s hit his hip and it’s bounced up and he’s put it into the net. That’s a simple [decision], if VAR still sees that and thinks it’s a handball then I don’t know what he’s looking at.
"But look, it is a difficult job for the referee. The angle he’s at he maybe thinks it’s a handball, but there’s no reason why the VAR can’t get in his ear and go ‘It’ll only take 30, maybe 60 seconds, just have a look at this angle Stuart because you might have got this wrong.’ They should get that right between them - it’s not a handball, it should be a goal."
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