VAR got Newcastle’s winning goal against Arsenal correctly, Premier League panel rules

The Premier League’s Independent Key Match Incidents Panel said the disputed goal in last weekend’s match between Newcastle and Arsenal at St James Park, was judged correctly by the Video Assistant Referee.
VAR looked at three incidents before the Gordon converted from close range, including the ball being out of play, a foul on Gabriel by Joelinton and offside against the goal scorer. The panel deemed that VAR’s decision was correct, but the officials missed two red cards, according to ESPN reports.
The panel found, on a 4-1 vote, that ‘although Joelinton does have his hands on Gabriel, there isn’t enough to award a foul as Gabriel had made an action to play the ball before any contact,’ while also upholding the view there wasn’t enough proof to cancel the goal on the two factual offences.
However, the panel was unanimous that Kai Havertz should have been sent off for Arsenal in the 36th minute for his reckless challenge on Sean Longstaff. The panel’s explanation stated it was ‘a very dangerous challenge and the type of tackle that needs to be eradicated’.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was left furious that Anthony Gordon’s winning goal was allowed to stand after three separate VAR checks.
Arsenal released a statement in support of Arteta after he slammed the decision to let Gordon’s goal stand as an ‘absolute disgrace’. Speaking after the 1-0 defeat, the Arsenal boss said: “We have to talk about the result because you have to talk about how the hell this goal stand ups and it’s incredible.
“I feel embarrassed but I have to be the one now coming here to try to defend the club and please ask for help, because it’s an absolute disgrace that this goal is allowed. It’s an absolute disgrace.”