Eddie Howe claims 'Havertz challenge is the only one that could have been a red'
Eddie Howe has given his verdict on two controversial decisions that surrounded Newcastle's 1-0 Premier league win against Arsenal.
The Magpies boss saw his side prevail in an ill-tempered clash thanks to Anthony Gordon's 64th minute winner which enraged Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.
The 22-year-old's strike was checked by VAR for three potential infractions: Whether the ball had gone out of play in the build-up, if Newcastle striker Joelinton had fouled Gabriel and whether Gordon was offside.
The goal was eventually given to the home side. A furious Arteta slammed the awarding, labelling it a 'disgrace' and 'embarrassing'.
But Howe disagreed and claimed only a potential foul on Gabriel would have been reasonable justification to chalk off the strike.
'I thought [the VAR check] was initially for a foul,' he said. 'I didn't think it was but potentially Joelinton off the back of [Gabriel]. That's all I could see that was possibly wrong.
'But then obviously there's the three checks. Thankfully none of them were pulled up on.'
St James' Park played host to a feisty encounter that sparked into life following Kai Havertz's late tackle on Sean Longstaff. Newcastle players were up in arms and surrounded the referee after the German's reckless challenge and they were left stunned as Havertz escaped with a yellow card.
To add insult to injury, three Magpies players were cautioned for their passionate remonstrations to referee Stuart Attwell.
Later there was even more drama after Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes appeared to elbow Arsenal's Jorginho on the back of his head - but he received no punishment from the official.
Howe insisted he had not seen the Brazilian's misdemeanour and reckoned Havertz's challenge was the only foul
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