Gary Neville delivers instant verdict on two Newcastle vs Arsenal VAR controversies

Former Premier League defender Gary Neville has claimed that the video assistant referee's (VAR) decision not to disallow Newcastle's opening goal against Arsenal was right. Nick Woltemade made it two goals in his first two home games with a brilliant header past David Raya.

After escaping Gabriel Magalhaes inside the box, the striker directed his header into the bottom corner from Sandro Tonali's cross. Raya and Gabriel protested to referee Jarred Gillett after replays showed the German had pushed the centre-back.

However, VAR insisted there was minimal contact from the striker and the goal stood. Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, admitted the decision to allow the goal was the correct one.

"It's a big, big goal from a big, big man! Arsenal are complaining about a push," he said. "Raya went crazy. It's two hands from Woltemade on the back of Gabriel. It's a little touch. Not enough in it.

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"VAR say minimal contact - and I agree with them. A really clear line from VAR, saying: 'A little touch in the back does not make Gabriel go down like he does'. I think they got that one right."

The incident wasn't the first one which required VAR to get involved. Earlier in the first-half, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Viktor Gyokeres was clipped inside the box by Nick Pope.

The decision was overturned after several replays, with Gillet announcing to the stadium why the decision was overturned. "After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul," the Australian said. "The final decision is drop ball."

This time, Neville admitted he was unsure whether it should have been a penalty. "Pope came out and committed," he said.

"Gyokeres was very close to the goalkeeper and nicked it past him. It looked like a clear penalty. It's knee on knee." After seeing the subsequent replay, he added: "Gyokeres touches the ball, then there's a touch [from Pope] and he bring him down after that. I'm a little torn, to be honest."

He added: "I mean Gyokeres kicks it against Pope's feet. Pope has still blocked Gyokeres. Pope is the most relieved man in the stadium."

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