Premier League issue official statement following Alexander Isak incident in Southampton vs Newcastle United
The Premier League issued a statement in the first-half of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash away to Southampton.
Southampton took the lead in the 10th minute when Jan Bednarek headed home James Bree’s cross, however Magpies levelled 16 minutes later through Alexander Isak’s penalty.
Isak was brought down in the box by Joe Aribo and referee Sam Barrott initially waved away Newcastle’s appeals for a penalty. VAR, however, intervened and instructed Barrott to review the incident at the pitchside monitor.
Barrott then changed his decision by pointing to the spot. The Premier League Match Centre, which explains VAR decisions, posted on X: “#SOUNEW – 22’ VAR OVERTURN The referee’s call of no penalty to Newcastle for a challenge by Aribo on Isak was checked by VAR, who deemed there was sufficient contact for a penalty and recommended an on-field review.
“The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty.”
Isak stepped up to send goalkeeper Alex McCarthy the wrong way before the Swede scored his second moments later to make it 2-1 to United. The 25-year-old beautifully controlled a pass from Jacob Murphy to slot the ball into the bottom right corner.
Newcastle added a third almost immediately after half-time when a flick by Anthony Gordon set Sandro Tonali one-on-one and the Italian finished past McCarthy.
Mateus Fernandes thought he’d made it 3-2 in the closing stages but following a VAR check, the Saints midfielder was flagged offside.
The Premier League Match Centre said: “84’ VAR OVERTURN Fernandes’ goal was initially awarded on-field. The VAR checked and established that he was in an offside position in the build-up and there was no factual evidence that Schär touched the ball. The VAR then recommended that the goal was disallowed.”