Controversial Harvey Barnes Goal Seals Newcastle's Win Over Man City
Newcastle United secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Manchester City at St. James' Park, but the win was overshadowed by controversy. Harvey Barnes scored a contentious winner in the 70th minute, sparking debates about the legality of the goal and whether Manchester City should have been awarded a penalty earlier in the match. The game, which saw Newcastle’s high energy and aggressive play earn them three valuable points, was filled with contentious referee decisions that left City manager Pep Guardiola and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma fuming.
Barnes had already opened the scoring for Newcastle, but his second goal became the focal point of post-match discussions. A corner kick, initially cleared, saw Bruno Guimaraes head the ball against the crossbar, with Barnes following up to score from close range. However, there was a significant moment in the buildup that many believe should have been penalized. Barnes appeared to push Donnarumma out of his position as he scrambled to defend the goal. The Manchester City goalkeeper, who had been visibly disturbed by the incident, immediately complained to the referee, but after a brief VAR review, the goal stood.
Ruben Dias, City’s defender, expressed frustration over the decision. He questioned the inconsistency of the refereeing, saying, “Where’s the sense in allowing a player to push our goalkeeper out of the goal? What are we allowing, and for how long?” Dias pointed out that the push on Donnarumma was clear upon review, and it was surprising that no foul was called. He argued that similar contacts, especially involving goalkeepers, would typically result in a penalty, making the decision feel even more perplexing.
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Guardiola, although visibly frustrated, downplayed the situation when asked about the officiating. He commented that the referees had made their decision, and it was pointless to revisit it. However, he acknowledged Donnarumma’s feelings, comparing it to a similar incident earlier in the season against Bournemouth. The Manchester City manager did not want to dwell on the refereeing decisions, stating, "It is what it is."
Despite the controversial nature of Barnes' goal, City had their chances in the game. There were penalty appeals in the first half for a possible foul by Malick Thiaw on Phil Foden and a handball shout, but neither was awarded. In fact, former players Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp both agreed that while Donnarumma should have been stronger in the moments leading up to Barnes' goal, the contact was minimal and unlikely to be considered a foul.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised his team for their bravery and determination in what was a tightly contested match. The victory was especially important after a string of disappointing results for the Magpies. Howe acknowledged the fine margins in Premier League matches, particularly when facing a side like Manchester City, but expressed pride in his players’ performance.
For Barnes, the win was a morale booster after missing key chances earlier in the game. Speaking after the match, he reflected on the team's resilience, stating, "You quickly move on from missed chances and bounce back, and today we got the rewards."
This result leaves Manchester City four points behind Arsenal, having played a game more. With tough matches ahead, Guardiola’s side will need to regroup quickly, while Newcastle, buoyed by the win, will hope to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
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