‘I guess’ - Newcastle United star responds to ‘ scandalous’ claim made after Wolves draw

Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson believes the officials were right to award him a penalty during Saturday evening’s 2-2 draw at Wolves.

Wilson twice handed the Magpies the lead at Molineux but the hosts managed to hit back on both occasions through Mario Lemina and Hee-Chan Hwang. It saw United extend their unbeaten Premier League run to six matches but it wasn’t without its controversy.

On the brink of half-time, Fabian Schar went to ground in the box under a challenge by Hwang. Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot and the on-field decision stood despite a lengthy VAR check.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil labelled the decision “scandalous” while Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted it was “contentious”. Wilson, however, believes the correct decision was reached.

“In real-time, for me, it looked like a penalty,” said the Magpies’ No.9. “Fabby’s kicked the ball, the guy has come through him and they eventually came to the right decision.

“If it wasn’t a penalty then I think I was touching the ball to have a shot as well. I guess it was the right decision, they got it right and it was given. Then it was about putting the ball away.

“You try and stay professional and composed and try to not get too intense. It felt like an eternity until the referee pointed to the spot but I took myself away and had a little moment to myself and thought about where I was putting it.

“My technique wasn’t the best with the penalty but nevertheless ended up in the back of the net.”

I’d say on the whole it was probably a fair result. Difficult conditions, difficult circumstances. They made it tough at times for us and when you do go in front twice you expect to see it out and hold on the lead so it was disappointing to come away with just a point.

“But, like I said, on the whole, being honest, it was probably a fair result.”

On the result, Wilson added: “When we were in their final third or any turnover, they were counter-attacking on us quickly. It’s a full-length pitch to run back and recover from so the boys at the back did a fantastic job doing that.

We win and lose together but we also love to keep clean sheets as strikers for the defenders. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that today but it’s something to work out. 2-2, take the point, the positives and move on.

As a result of his brace, Wilson moved up to third in Newcastle’s all-time Premier League scorers chart, one behind Peter Beardsley in second.