Newcastle United man avoids potential ban after Liverpool incident as PGMOL responds

The PGMOL has clarified why Joelinton avoided a first-half yellow card during Newcastle United's 4-2 defeat at Liverpool on New Year's Day.

Following a goalless first-half, where Martin Dubravka saved Mohammed Salah's penalty, the Egyptian atoned for his miss by opening the scoring in the 49th minute.

United did equalise against the run of play through Alexander Isak but goals from Curtis Jones and substitute Cody Gakpo put the Reds 3-1 ahead.

A Sven Botman header to make it 3-2 then threatened an unlikely comeback but Salah put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot when Dubravka was adjudged to have brought down Diogo Jota in the box.

Jota was heavily criticised for going to ground under minimal contact as he had an open goal to aim at. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe didn't think it was a penalty, while the likes of Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Gary Neville agreed.

However, Liverpool directed their own complaints at referee Anthony Taylor when Joelinton avoided a 43rd-minute booking for a cynical foul on Dominik Szoboszlai.

Taylor waved play on and didn't go back to book the Brazilian when the match stopped. The Anfield crowd were incensed and booed the Chesire-born official off at half-time.

But as the PGMOL explained - via the Daily Mail - Taylor was correct not to caution Joelinton.

Indeed, it was a decision that potentially saved the 27-year-old from being sent off and therefore avoid a one-match ban after he was booked later in the second-half.

Under Law 12 section three in the rules of the game it is stated: ''If the referee plays the advantage for an offence for which a caution/sending-off would have been issued had play been stopped, this caution/sending-off must be issued when the ball is next out of play.

"However, if the offence was denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour; if the offence was interfering with or stopping a promising attack, the player is not cautioned."

Joelinton will be available for Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby away to Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup (kick-off 12:45pm).