Newcastle United denied third penalty at Leeds United as pundit points out ‘clumsy’ tackle

Jermaine Jenas felt Newcastle United were denied a THIRD penalty during yesterday’s 2-2 draw at Leeds United.

After Luke Ayling opened the scoring for the hosts before Patrick Bamford’s penalty miss, the Magpies went 2-1 in front after two converted spot-kicks from top scorer Callum Wilson.

The first was awarded on the half-hour mark when Alexander Isak was fouled by Maximilian Wober. A VAR check in the 69th minute then spotted a handball in the area by Junior Firpo.

That, however, wasn’t enough for three points in the Magpies’ quest for Champions League qualification as Rasmus Kristensen scored a deflected equaliser, 11 minutes from the end.

However, proceedings might have played out differently had referee Simon Hooper or VAR awarded Newcastle another spot-kick on the brink of half-time.

Weston McKennie jumped over Wilson, which forced the Magpies No.9 to ground. Jenas, on punditry duty with BT Sport, admitted McKennie was fortunate to avoid punishment.

Asked if he thought it was a penalty, Jenas said: “I do, yeah. This is reckless from McKennie, and this kind of fed into this whole thing that Leeds are a little bit too pumped up here.

“It’s clumsy, jumping on the back of any centre forward in the box, getting nowhere near the ball, running straight into the back of them. He’s a lucky boy.”

Newcastle’s point at Elland Road opened up a four-point lead over fifth-place Liverpool, who visit Leicester City on Monday night. Assuming Jurgen Klopp’s side win at the King Power Stadium, United require six points from their remaining three games to guarantee a top four finish.

Eddie Howe’s men host Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester in back-to-back home games before travelling to Chelsea on the final day of the campaign.

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