‘Lucky’ - Eddie Howe responds to Mikel Arteta’s ‘absolute disgrace’ Newcastle United verdict

Eddie Howe disagrees with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta over the decision to allow Newcastle United’s goal to stand during Saturday evening’s high-tempered encounter at St James’ Park.

Magpies’ winger Anthony Gordon netted the only goal of the match in the second half, much to the disbelief of Arteta after three VAR checks.

The first check was to see if Joe Willock had kept the ball in play in the build-up, the second was for a possible foul on Gabriel by Joelinton and the third was whether or not Gordon was in an offside position.

Following a five-minute review, the goal stood as United saw out a 1-0 victory to extend their unbeaten league run to seven matches and move within three points of the top four.

Arteta branded the decision as an “absolute disgrace”. And when the Spaniard’s post-match comments were put to Howe, the Newcastle head coach responded: “Maybe he’s seen something I haven’t. I’ve only seen it with the naked eye, live.

“I had no idea what was going on with the VAR checks either so we were in the lap of the gods really waiting like everyone else in the stadium.

“With every check it was going through, you’re thinking they’re going to find something wrong with it. It’s very bizarre to have three VAR checks but the goal was given.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, Howe added: “We’re in the dark, we’re stood by the side of the pitch seeing VAR on the screen but with no pictures. I haven’t seen anything other than what I saw at the time. It looked a good goal to me.”

Despite Arsenal’s anger at referee Stuart Attwell and the VAR officials at Stockley Park, Howe suggested they did the visitors a favour by not sending Kai Havertz off.

In the latter stages of the first half, the German put in a reckless tackle on Sean Longstaff but escaped with just a yellow.

“We were close to the incident, I thought it was high and potentially dangerous,” Howe told Sky Sports. “He was lucky to get a yellow. There were a lot of yellow cards and I don’t think there needed to be - it wasn’t a dirty game but there were a few flashpoints.

“Keep 11 players on the pitch was the message at half time but not lose fighting spirit and desire. We kept our heads really well in the game.”