'I know why' - Puzzling Lewis Hall verdict given after Newcastle United denied penalty vs Brentford

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes referee Simon Hooper was right to overturn Newcastle United’s penalty against Brentford.

With the game in the balance, the Magpies thought they had regained their two-goal advantage as the game approached its final stages. Lewis Hall had his heels clipped and Newcastle appeared to have been given a stonewall spot-kick.

However, VAR intervened and judged the initial contact to have been outside the area. Newcastle fans questioned this on social media as replays showed Hall’s standing leg as being inside the box.

The incident would have been a hot topic post-match if Newcastle did not go on to win the game - and give themselves a plausible chance of European qualification. As it turned out, the Magpies scored from the resulting free-kick, sparking jubilant celebrations from bagsman Bruno Guimaraes and the travelling Toon Army.

Ex-ref Gallagher backed the decision to chalk off the penalty and award a free-kick. He told Sky Sports: “This is a tough one as I know why Simon Hooper has given a penalty as it looks like he’s been tripped in the box but the replays show it was outside. 

“The leg that was fouled was outside the box. It’s a factual decision so the referee doesn’t have to go to the screen.”

The Irishman also admitted the right call was made to rule out Sean Longstaff’s first-half strike as Alexander Isak had strayed fractionally offside. Gallagher added: “This is why I’d never be an assistant referee as I wouldn’t spot the Longstaff one. It’s so, so tight. but Isak is offside. It’s an incredible spot.”