Newcastle’s Eddie Howe Expresses Frustration Over VAR Controversy

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has expressed his disappointment over how his team’s impressive performance against Arsenal was overshadowed by the VAR controversy surrounding their 1-0 victory. Despite the win, the decision to allow Anthony Gordon’s goal after a triple VAR check left Gunners boss Mikel Arteta furious, calling it “embarrassing.”

Outstanding Performance Overshadowed

Howe believes that the focus on the VAR incident has taken away from his team’s outstanding performance. He commended his players for their commitment and desire to win, emphasizing that their general performance was strong. However, he expressed his frustration that the post-match discussion revolved around the goal decision rather than acknowledging his team’s excellence.

VAR’s Impact and Concerns

While acknowledging the benefits of VAR, Howe stated that he initially had reservations about its introduction. He believes that there are aspects of VAR that work well but emphasizes that the main focus should always be on the players and the football itself. He expressed concern over the dangerous trend of shifting attention towards referees and VAR decisions instead of appreciating the game and the players’ performances.

Newcastle’s Rise in Premier League

Newcastle’s victory against Arsenal propelled them to sixth place in the Premier League table. However, Howe added that it was disheartening to see the post-match discussion dominated by the goal decision rather than celebrating his team’s success.