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Former Premier League defender Gary Neville has insisted that the video assistant referee's (VAR) decision not to disallow Newcastle's opening goal against Arsenal was correct.
The referee at the center of the decision was Jarred Gillett, who has been accused of being a Liverpool fan in the past. The Gunners are expected to be embroiled in a title battle with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City come the end of the season, with many Arsenal fans on social media accusing Gillett of making a biased decision against their team.
Rumors in Gillett's native Australia claimed he is a Liverpool fan, but neither Gillett nor the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has confirmed as such.
Nick Woltemade netted his second goal in as many home appearances on Sunday with a superb header beyond David Raya.
Having evaded Gabriel Magalhaes within the penalty area, the striker guided his header into the bottom corner from Sandro Tonali's delivery.
Raya and Gabriel appealed to referee Gillett following replays that appeared to show the German had shoved the center-back. Nevertheless, VAR maintained that there was minimal contact from the striker and the goal was allowed to stand.
Neville, commenting on Sky Sports, acknowledged the decision to permit the goal was the right call.
"It's a big, big goal from a big, big man! Arsenal are complaining about a push," he said. "Raya went crazy. It's two hands from Woltemade on the back of Gabriel. It's a little touch. Not enough in it.
"VAR say minimal contact - and I agree with them. A really clear line from VAR, saying, 'A little touch in the back does not make Gabriel go down like he does.' I think they got that one right."
The incident wasn't the first occasion that required VAR intervention.
Earlier in the opening period, Arsenal were granted a penalty after Viktor Gyokeres was caught inside the area by Nick Pope. The decision was reversed after multiple replays, with Gillet explaining to the stadium why the decision was overturned.
"After review, the Newcastle goalkeeper plays the ball and there is no foul," stated the Australian. "The final decision is drop ball."
On this occasion, Neville confessed his uncertainty over whether it should have been a penalty. "Pope came out and committed," he commented. "Gyokeres was very close to the goalkeeper and nicked it past him. It looked like a clear penalty. It's knee on knee."
After viewing the subsequent replay, he added: "Gyokeres touches the ball, then there's a touch [from Pope] and he bring him down after that. I'm a little torn, to be honest."
He further added: "I mean Gyokeres kicks it against Pope's feet. Pope has still blocked Gyokeres. Pope is the most relieved man in the stadium."
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