Wayne Rooney speaks on Manchester City’s 2–1 loss to Newcastle United, insisting the Sky Blues were denied what he believes was a legitimate penalty.
The former Manchester United striker, who has rarely been aligned with the views of City supporters during his career, sided with them on this occasion after a contentious moment involving Phil Foden went unpunished.
City arrived on Tyneside with pressure mounting in their pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola’s men had already allowed points to slip in recent weeks, and the trip to St James’ Park presented another obstacle against a Newcastle side wrestling with inconsistency.
Eddie Howe, dealing with injuries and questions over his team’s form, was desperate for a performance that could steady the mood around the club.
What he got was precisely that. A brace from Harvey Barnes, whose sharp finishing proved decisive, carried Newcastle to a much-needed win.
The victory eased the immediate anxiety around the relegation zone and offered Howe a rare moment of comfort after a difficult run.
For City, though, it was another evening of frustration in which the match slipped away—and not without controversy.
The match ebbed and flowed early on, but City believed they should have been handed a chance to take control before the interval.
As the first half wound down, Fabian Schär slid in on Foden inside the penalty area, leaving the Manchester City players and supporters adamant that contact had been made without any attempt to win the ball.
Referee waved away the appeals, and VAR did not intervene.
Rooney, speaking later on Match of the Day, surprised some viewers by not only backing City’s complaints but doing so emphatically.
“I think it is [a penalty.] I think it’s good play from Manchester City. [Jeremy] Doku getting in the pocket, plays a lovely ball to Phil Foden,” he said as he analysed the incident.
“And from there you think he’s maybe just snatched at it, but from this angle you see he’s stretching for the ball, the defender comes across, clearly doesn’t take the ball and hits Phil Foden on top of his foot. So I think that’s a penalty.”
Although the footage was replayed several times during the broadcast, the debate continued among pundits as Match of the Day host Mark Chapman attempted to clarify the factors the match officials would have considered.
He referred to guidance around contact following shots or passes, which can influence whether a foul is deemed avoidable.
Chapman explained: “Where there is contact following an attacker either passing the ball or taking a shot at goal, where the contact is inevitable or a consequence of momentum, play should typically be allowed to continue.
“Where the contact is either reckless or serious foul play, then a penalty kick should be awarded.”
Rooney was unconvinced that the defender’s challenge fell into the category where play should continue.
In his view, the risk Schär took and the manner of the contact crossed the line.
“Yeah it’s reckless. If you look at the moment of impact, the defender’s leg is straight and studs [up]. So it’s a straight leg and studs on Phil Foden’s foot. I think it’s a clear penalty.”
Wayne Rooney speaks on Manchester City’s 2–1 loss to Newcastle United added to the controversies about the match.
However, despite the strong words from the former England captain, the decision remained unchanged and City found no reprieve.
The missed call, at least in their view, proved costly as they struggled to regain control of the match.
Newcastle’s resilience, coupled with the clinical edge Barnes brought, ensured the home side claimed three crucial points.
Guardiola, known for measured public responses to officiating decisions, did not dwell heavily on the incident after the match.
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Yet it is unlikely City will quickly forget the moment given the fine margins involved in the title race.
With Arsenal maintaining their push at the summit, every point dropped has the potential to echo into the later months of the season.
While City digest another setback in their title defence, Newcastle are shifting focus quickly to continental competition.
Their next fixture sees them travel to France for a Champions League meeting with Marseille—a match that presents both opportunity and risk.
Victory could breathe life into their European campaign; defeat may raise new concerns about squad depth and consistency.
