‘Livid’ - Alan Shearer responds to ‘terrible’ Newcastle United claim after Wolves draw

Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United were fortunate to be awarded a penalty during the 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.

The Magpies twice led at Molineux through Callum Wilson but were pegged back via goals from Mario Lemina Hee-Chan Hwang as both teams extended respective unbeaten Premier League runs.

But the evening wasn’t without its controversy when 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 after a lengthy VAR check.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil branded the decision “terrible” and Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, admitted he’d be “livid” if that were given against him.

“I didn’t think it was a penalty,” said the Newcastle legend. “I can understand why the referee has given it on the pitch but then they looked at it so many times in the replays and I still can’t see why it wasn’t overturned.

“If that was given against me, I’d be livid.”

Even Magpies’ head coach Eddie Howe admitted the decision was “contentious” as O’Neil unleashed his rage during his post-match press conference.

O’Neil said: “There wasn’t a penalty in the first half. It’s a scandalous decision. Terrible. It was a terrible on-field decision and terrible that VAR didn’t intervene. I think they got it badly wrong.

“He goes to clear the ball and makes such minimal contact with Schar, hardly any, just a glance of the boot.

“Schar is already on his way down and the ball actually hits Channy’s (Chan) other boot before he even makes contact with Schar, so technically Chan gets the ball before he contacts Schar. That’s why it was a terrible decision.”

Despite the controversy, Shearer said it was a fair result.

He continued: “The longer the game went on the more concerned I was, particularly with the pace and ability Wolves have got with Hwang, Neto and Cunha.

A few times in that first half you can see the problems that they caused. Second half, as I said, I was getting more and more worried because of the schedule Eddie Howe mentioned there, Newcastle did look tired and were running out of options, certainly up front.

“They [Wolves] were becoming a threat and Hwang gets his sixth goal of the season. He sits Dan Burn down there and it’s a fantastic finish. But I think a draw was right in the end.”