^ ^ Joe Hart reveals real reason why Arsenal penalty against Newcastle was overturned

Joe Hart says the correct decision was made despite Arsenal’s protests (Picture: BBC)

Joe Hart has revealed the real reason why Arsenal didn’t get a penalty for Newcastle’s Nick Pope appearing to hacking down Viktor Gyokeres.

Jarred Gillett initially awarded the Gunners a spot kick but VAR intervened with the referee then going over to the monitor and changing his decision.

Both Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and winger Bukayo Saka were left furious over the incident in their post-match interviews at St James’ Park, with the latter claiming that decisions always go against the Gunners.

But former Manchester City goalkeeper Hart has explained why the penalty wasn’t given as he analysed Pope bringing down Gyokeres in Arsenal’s win.

‘As Gyokeres went through, the immediate goalkeeper in me said, ‘I hope Pope got a touch on that, but I’m not 100 per cent sure’,’ Hart said on Match of the Day.

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‘There’s definite contact. Pope, with those size 13 feet of his, gets a toe on it. Not only does he get a toe on it, he manages to divert the ball away from goal.

‘But that’s not the most important point. As Pope plants his foot, he’s deemed not to be using a forward motion towards Gyokeres.

Nick Pope was deemed ‘not to be using a forward motion’ (Picture: BBC)

‘Therefore, as Gyokeres’ knee clashes into Pope’s knee, it is just seen as a clash of bodies. It’s not Pope taking him out. It’s not a foul. Not a penalty.’

Speaking after the match, Arsenal winger Saka told Sky Sports: ‘The penalty, you know, for me, like if we have VAR for clear and obvious errors, and the fact that it took the ref that long to decide…

‘So it’s not a clear and obvious error, but it’s things like this, these little things that always go against us.

Metro at the Match: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.

Here are our team’s key takeaways from Arsenal’s dramatic win at St James’ Park:

Gabriel came to Arsenal’s rescue late on (Picture: Getty)

Super subs deliver again

Subs, replacements, finishers – call them what you want – but one thing is clear: Arsenal’s squad depth will be a vital tool in their bid to win the title this year. Gabriel Martinelli last week and Mikel Merino this around, Arteta’s second-half changes continue to get his side goals when they need them most. Ben Fleming, sports reporter

Was it a penalty?

Viktor Gyokeres was felled by Nick Pope and a penalty was given, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was saved by VAR as he got a slight touch on the ball. The decision remained debatable. Clear and obvious error? Surely not. Phil Haigh, sports reporter

Saliba benching raises eyebrows

Mikel Arteta’s team selection is back under the microscope after the benching of William Saliba on Sunday, particularly given the struggles of his replacement Cristhian Mosquera, who was hauled off at the break. Arteta said Saliba’s fitness still has to be managed – so why was he given the full 90 minutes against Port Vale in midweek? Ben Fleming, sports reporter

Woltemade scored his second goal for Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

Woltemade a new hero but Magpies still look blunt

Newcastle have struggled for goals so far this season and they weren’t exactly free-flowing in attack on Sunday. Nick Woltemade has made a decent start and the giant German is a threat in the air, but Magpies fans will be relishing the return to fitness of Yoane Wissa to spark some attacking verve. Phil Haigh, sports reporter

Exciting Eze continues to give Arteta a dilemma

Finally deployed in a central attacking position, Eberechi Eze was at least one bright spot for the Gunners. Martin Odegaard has made that position his own in recent years, but Arteta may soon be forced to consider if his captain is the best man for the job in the coveted No10 role. Ben Fleming, sports reporter

Thiaw looks a great addition

In a transfer window awash with sagas, Malick Thiaw arriving at Newcastle from AC Milan went under the radar. The defender was fantastic here, dealing with Gyokeres impressively. Physically imposing and technically good on the ball. Phil Haigh, sports reporter

‘But I think today, we got what we deserved for sure. I was speechless, man. But doesn’t matter now we won.’

Arsenal manager Arteta added: ‘Well, I watched it back and watched it live as well.

‘And if it’s not a clear and obvious error, VAR should not intervene.

‘We’ve been told this for a few years, this style of decision again, and for me, it’s very clear that it doesn’t have to intervene because it’s a penalty.’

Some football pundits were left ‘torn’ over the incident and felt it could’ve gone either way.

‘Gyokeres kicks it against Nick Pope’s feet… Pope has still blocked Viktor Gyokeres,’ Gary Neville opined.

‘Gyokeres touches the ball and then there is a touch and then he takes him down after that.

‘I’m definitely torn. Nick Pope does get a touch and that is usually the barometer for referees and goalkeepers and penalties.’

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^ ^ Gary Neville accuses Ruben Amorim of making ‘unforgivable’ mistake at Manchester United

Gary Neville discussing his former club Manchester United (Picture: NBC Sports)

Gary Neville admits he is ‘really, really worried’ about Manchester United’s lack of progress under Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils suffered yet another defeat on Saturday – losing 3-1 at Brentford – and have won just two of their opening seven games of the season.

Losing to Brentford means Manchester United are still yet to win successive Premier League games under Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat last November.

United, who finished just 15th in the Premier League last season, have also collected just 34 points from 33 league games under the former Sporting manager.

Old Trafford legend Neville is ‘very worried’ about Manchester United’s ongoing struggles and says Amorim is starting to ‘look pretty stupid’ with some of his selection decisions.

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‘I am very worried, there is no point in me sitting here and saying I’m not,’ he told NBC Sports. ‘The levels of performance, the results and the substitutions yesterday.

‘I saw something at the end of the Grimsby game that they lost in the Carabao Cup a couple of weeks ago, which was Mason Mount ending up at left wing-back.

Ruben Amorim after Manchester United’s defeat to Brentford (Picture: Getty)

‘We admire managers who are stubborn and resilient around their system, we want them to stick to their plan, but when you have Mason Mount playing at left-back, you are going to look pretty stupid.

‘It has happened twice now and it can’t happen. The first time I thought it was unforgivable and yesterday it happened again.

‘He changes his back three and his back five every single game and the performances and the results are just unacceptable.

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‘I’m really, really worried. I would never go on television, as I know how difficult a manager’s job can be, and say a manager should be sacked, but I suspect the hierarchy are going to want to see a turnaround.’

The defeat to Brentford has led to even more scrutiny over Amorim’s job but the 40-year-old insisted he was ‘not concerned’ in his post-match press conference.

‘I am never concerned about my job – I am not that kind of guy,’ he told BBC Match of the Day. ‘It is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here.’

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt leapt to Amorim’s defence after the humbling Brentford defeat and said the players had to take responsibility.

‘It’s always easy to look to the manager, but in the end the players on the pitch have to do it,’ said De Ligt.

‘We can’t say the goals we conceded, or the chances we conceded, are because of what… I don’t know, you guys always talk about the system.

‘That also has a lot to do with focus, concentration and, if that’s lacking in key moments, it’s going to make a difference.’

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^ ^ Gareth Southgate on Man Utd’s three-man shortlist to replace Ruben Amorim

Gareth Southgate led England to two major finals (Picture: Getty)

Ex-England boss Gareth Southgate is on a three-man shortlist to replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United head coach, according to reports.

Southgate, 55, has been out of management since the end of his eight-year stint in charge of the Three Lions from 2016 to 2024.

Under Southgate’s leadership, England’s men were runners-up at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, reaching their first major finals since the 1966 World Cup.

Southgate also led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals with a fourth-placed finish, their best performance at the tournament since 1990.

He has been linked with the United job on several occasions over the last few years and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be a massive admirer.

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Some outlets are claiming that Ratcliffe has already held talks with Southgate with the pressure mounting on United head coach Amorim.

According to talkSPORT, Southgate is on a three-man shortlist to replace Amorim with two other potential candidates.

Ruben Amorim’s side lost 3-1 to Brentford on Saturday (Picture: Getty)

Man Utd also keen on Glasner and Iraola

The other two managers United are taking a look at are Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and AFC Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

Glasner and Iraola are both under contract with their respective clubs and United would have to pay significant compensation to land either of them.

Oliver Glasner has massively impressed at Crystal Palace (Picture: Getty)

It remains to be seen if Glasner and Iraola would even be interested in the United job given how well they are doing at both Palace and Bournemouth.

The Eagles are second in the Premier League table after their opening six games of the season, won the FA Cup last season and clinched the Community Shield at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Iraola, meanwhile, has transformed Bournemouth into genuine European challengers, guiding the Cherries to a ninth-placed top-flight finish last term – the joint-best league finish in the club’s entire history.

Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth are fifth in the Premier League table (Picture: Getty)

Bournemouth lost a number of key players in the summer transfer window but are still flying this season and sit fifth in the table after their six games.

United are 14th in the Premier League after a disastrous start to the 2025-26 campaign, with Amorim’s side just four points above the bottom three.

The Red Devils side also suffered a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town in the second round.

Amorim only arrived as United head coach in November 2024, replacing Erik ten Hag.

He was unable to turn around United’s poor start to the 2024-25 season, as his side finished 15th in the Premier League without a trophy and failing to qualify for any form of European football for the first time in a decade.

United lost 3-1 at Brentford in their last top-flight match on Saturday and return to action on October 4 with a game against high-flying Sunderland.

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^ ^ Jack Grealish makes admission about partying at Man City: ‘I didn’t help myself’

Jack Grealish’s treble celebrations were iconic (Picture: Getty Images)

Jack Grealish admits that he didn’t help himself at points during his Manchester City career, saying he chose to enjoy himself at the wrong times.

The England international fell down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola after being an integral part of the treble-winning squad in 2022/23.

The 30-year-old is now on loan at Everton, where he is performing impressively, as he looks to reignite his chances of making England’s World Cup squad next summer.

Grealish memorably celebrated that treble success in 2023 pretty wildly and he has been known to enjoy a party during his career, which he admits has not always been helpful to his football.

While he does not think that was the reason he fell out of favour under Guardiola, he accepts it did not help.

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‘People go, “he likes to go out, he likes to party”, and I do. I want to be able to live my life and enjoy myself but obviously there’s a time and a place to do that,’ Grealish told Sky Sports.

‘Sometimes, I’ll be honest with you, I probably haven’t picked the right times. At City, I didn’t help myself at times, I’ll openly say that, but then I don’t think it was all down to that.’

Grealish accepts he partied at the wrong times (Picture: Getty Images)

The former Aston Villa star is enjoying himself again at Everton under David Moyes, having felt somewhat discarded at Manchester City.

‘I’m at my best when I feel loved,’ Grealish said. ‘You know, I’m quite vulnerable off the pitch and I wanted to go somewhere to just feel the love again and just wake up with a smile on my face and want to play again.

‘I don’t mean this in an arrogant way but I do like it when managers say, “you’re the footballer, go and do what you want to do”.

Grealish has quickly become a very popular figure at Everton (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Obviously you have your jobs. You have your roles to do without the ball and set pieces but he says to me, “when you get the ball just go and do what you want to do”.’

It was a big coup for the Toffees to bring in the stylish midfielder, and Moyes admitted he had actually underestimated Grealish, such is his level of talent.

‘He is even better than I thought,’ Moyes said last month. ‘He probably needs a bit of love and attention. He needs the games as well.

Jack Grealish Premier League stats

Apps: 195

Goals: 27

Assists: 32

‘Hopefully he starts building on it and he gets even better as the season goes on.

‘He is making a big difference. Whether it is his assists, his presence, lots of things. So all credit to him. He is playing the minutes he may not have had in recent years.

‘You know, he’s so good. What Jack gives us is something just on the edge, which, hopefully it’s on the edge of creativeness and maybe scoring goals.’

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^ ^ Newcastle vs Arsenal: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Saka is back from injury (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal head to Newcastle United this weekend with the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Victory for the Gunners this afternoon will see them move to within two points of Arne Slot’s side after their defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

But Arsenal did not find it easy up against Eddie Howe’s side last season, beaten on Tyneside in November in the league and losing home and away in the Carabao Cup semi-final.  

Bukayo Saka made his return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three games off the bench against Manchester City.

There were a few nervous glances on the Arsenal bench when the England international was left in a heap following a heavy challenge against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday but his manager eased any fears over his availability this weekend.

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As Saka returns, the man who filled in so admirably for him takes his place on the sidelines. Noni Madueke is looking at six to eight weeks after suffering what is suspected to be a medial knee ligament injury.

Martin Odegaard meanwhile has not featured since limping off in the first-half against Nottingham Forest having injured the same shoulder he hurt against Leeds in the second week of the season.

Saka came off after an hour against Port Vale (Picture: Getty)

The Norway international is believed to be well on the mend however and will be pushing to return this weekend.

Arsenal remain without Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus with Piero Hincapie also still nursing a hamstring injury.

Newcastle meanwhile remain without Jacob Ramsey and summer signing Yoane Wissa but Anthony Gordon is available once again having served his suspension.

Arsenal XI to face Newcastle – Metro prediction

Saka will surely start after getting an hour under his belt midweek. Odegaard will also hope to return alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in midfield.

Newcastle vs Arsenal TV channel and kick-off time

Newcastle vs Arsenal takes place on Sunday 28 September with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm.

You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.

You can also follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.

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