Newcastle Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka Admits Liverpool’s Second Penalty Was Legitimate
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has acknowledged that Liverpool’s second penalty in their recent match was a legitimate one, although he doesn’t necessarily agree with the decision. Liverpool secured a 4-2 victory over Newcastle on New Year’s Day, extending their winning streak against the Magpies to six consecutive games and reclaiming the top spot in the Premier League.
Dubravka’s Perspective on the Penalty
Mohamed Salah missed an opportunity to give Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot in the first half, but the Reds managed to score multiple goals after halftime, including another penalty. There were accusations of diving against Diogo Jota, who won the second penalty for Liverpool, but Dubravka, the player involved in the incident, believes that the right call was made.
According to Dubravka, “My arms are not trying to catch him. I don’t have to agree, but at the end of the day, it was a penalty.” Despite criticisms of referee Anthony Taylor’s performance during the match, Dubravka accepted that the decision to award the second penalty was correct.
Eddie Howe’s Disagreement
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, on the other hand, disagreed with the decision, describing the contact between Dubravka and Jota as “minimal.” He believed that Sean Longstaff’s challenge earlier in the game should have been awarded a penalty instead. Howe expressed his frustration, stating, “It shouldn’t be given. Martin has pulled his hand away. He’s had two steps before going down. For me, it’s not a penalty. Even the first one, the contact was so minimal. We feel hard done by.”
Liverpool’s Victory
Despite the controversy surrounding the penalties, Liverpool emerged victorious from the intense match, securing an important win to start the new year. The foul that led to Salah’s successful penalty kick helped to make up for his earlier miss from the spot. The result allowed Liverpool to regain their position at the top of the Premier League table.
Overall, the match provided plenty of talking points, and while there were differing opinions on the penalties, Liverpool ultimately came out on top. Referee Anthony Taylor’s performance was heavily criticized throughout the game, making it a night to forget for him.