Premier League make official Newcastle United decision after Everton outrage

Chris Kavanagh has been appointed as match referee for Newcastle United's Premier League clash at home to Manchester City on Saturday evening (kick-off 5:30pm).

The Ashton-under-Lyne-born official was at the centre of a hugely controversial moment when he oversaw the 0-0 draw between Crystal Palace and Everton last week.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was shown a red card for a challenge on Nathaniel Clyne. Kavanagh initially waved play on before being instructed by VAR to review the decision. Despite minimal contact, the Everton striker was sent off, much to the disbelief and shock of Sean Dyche and the neutrals watching.

"If you want to slow-mo everything, you have to slow-mo everything," said Dyche after the game. "There's minor contact and in live time he [Kavanagh] doesn't give anything, then they slow it down and everything looks worse.

"Every fan out there must be going, 'What is the point?' We all know the outcome, which is that [the referees] are going to agree with what they are being told. I don't get all this delaying and looking at the screen for a minuscule chance they’ll turn it over. Why even bother?"

The Toffees appealed the red card and Calvert-Lewin's three-match ban was successfully overturned. Despite the mistake, Kavanagh has avoided being dropped and will officiate Newcastle v Man City this weekend.

Kavanagh was the man in the middle for the Magpies' 1-0 Carabao Cup against City in September. Since then, he's oversaw United's defeat to AFC Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.

The 38-year-old will be assisted by Simon Bennett and Neil Davies. On VAR duty are Peter Bankes and Simon Long. Tim Robinson is the fourth official.