Manchester City were left fuming on Saturday evening after a contentious refereeing call overshadowed their 2-1 loss to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
In a match full of intensity and momentum swings, it was Phil Foden’s penalty incident in the first half that lit the fuse on a fresh round of VAR criticism.
Pep Guardiola’s side, who had been handed a major opportunity following Liverpool’s earlier defeat to Nottingham Forest, could not capitalise.
Instead, they left Tyneside frustrated, convinced that a crucial moment was mishandled by the officials and the VAR team.
The match came alive after the interval. Harvey Barnes, lively throughout, powered Newcastle ahead with a stunning strike from distance before Ruben Dias levelled almost immediately.
Barnes restored the advantage with his second of the night to send the home crowd into uproar.
Yet City’s players and staff were adamant that the game might have unfolded differently had a big call gone their way in the first half.
Phil Foden’s penalty incident vs Newcastle sparks fresh VAR scrutiny
The flashpoint arrived before the break when Foden surged into the box and struck an effort wide, only to be clattered by Fabian Schär moments after releasing the shot.
City players immediately appealed, but the referee waved play on. VAR did not intervene, and the match continued without so much as a review on the monitor.
The challenge, which appeared late and forceful in real time, became the centre of debate across the football world as replays circulated.
To many viewers, the tackle met the threshold for a penalty. To one former elite referee, the lack of intervention was inexplicable.
Keith Hackett, the former PGMOL chief and long-serving FIFA-listed referee, was baffled that City were not awarded a spot-kick.
Speaking to Football Insider after reviewing the footage, he made his view crystal clear about the Phil Foden’s penalty incident.
“Manchester City can feel aggrieved that a penalty kick was not awarded for the late challenge on Phil Foden,” Hackett said after watching footage.
“It was a foul, and the fact that Foden played the ball forward does not, in law, negate the foul.
“If this were in midfield and the player plays the ball forward and then fouled, it is a free kick. VAR should have intervened.”
Hackett’s interpretation reflects what many refereeing analysts have argued for years: that the location of the foul should not influence the decision.
Fouls do not disappear simply because the attacker has managed to release the ball, and the ex-official’s comments applied pressure on the PGMOL to explain why no check was deemed necessary.
The Phil Foden’s penalty incident became even more significant when viewed in the context of City’s missed opportunities.
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Erling Haaland passed up two major chances earlier in the half, leaving Guardiola’s side needing a moment of luck or a favourable call. They got neither.
For Newcastle, the non-call served as fuel. St James’ Park was already crackling with noise, but the flash of controversy ignited something more in the home supporters, who sensed vulnerability in the normally assured Cityzens.
The Magpies began to attack with greater belief, pressing higher and playing with an intensity that unsettled City’s rhythm.
For City, the focus now shifts to bouncing back. Bayer Leverkusen and Leeds United visit the Etihad next, and both may arrive at an inopportune time.
Guardiola’s teams rarely lose twice in a row, and an angry City side can be a ruthless proposition.
