‘I saw simulation’ - pundit claims Newcastle United star ‘conned’ referee and VAR in West Ham win

Richard Keys has slammed Anthony Gordon for diving against West Ham twice to earn decisive penalties. Newcastle United were awarded a spot-kick after just four minutes when Vladimir Coufal was judged to have brought Gordon down. A lengthy VAR check deliberated over whether Konstantinos Mavropanos had deliberately played the ball to the Toon winger, who had strayed in an offside position.

The second penalty - which ultimately laid the foundations for Newcastle’s comeback - proved more controversial. Hammers boss David Moyes insisted post-match that penalising Kalvin Phillips was the “wrong decision”, with the loanee bringing down Gordon, who picked up a red card late on, while trying to clear the ball.

Referee Rob Jones was summoned to the pitchside monitor and pointed to the spot again. Alexander Isak buried both strikes from 12 yards to help Newcastle on their way to a stunning 4-3 win.

However, former Sky Sports presenter Keys, who riled Toon fans throughout the takeover drama, was left fuming. He believed Gordon “conned” the officials and Dan Burn should have been sent off for fouling Mohhamed Kudus in first-half stoppage time.

“What a weekend it was for ref howlers,” he wrote on his blog. “Mind you, when isn’t it? In no particular order – Antony Gordon conned Rob Jones twice. Well, once.

“The hapless David Coote, in VAR, was to blame for the second error. What did you see that was ‘clear and obvious’ David? I saw simulation.

“So did everyone who wasn’t supporting Newcastle. Why didn’t Jones send Dan Burn off for taking Kudus out when he was clean through? It was a denial. Burn made no attempt to play the ball. It was a clear red.”