BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after West Ham thriller | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win over West Ham.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion though, the politics almost totally absent.

Instead, pretty much just about the actual football and the referee and VAR…

A lot to debate in this game.

Quite astonishing though just how many people can’t understand / comprehend (or pretend not to…) that if you get your leg in between the opponent and the ball in the penalty area, then that opponent kicks your leg away, then it is a penalty. Many times these are given and there is zero need for any intent to foul be shown, just as is the case now with many ways in which penalties are given for handball, when no intent has to be shown.

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, West Ham fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘Once again, VAR showing us it’s not fit for purpose. Phillips was already in the process of kicking the ball and Gordon manages to get in the way.

Absolutely zero intent from Phillips and it completely changed the game.’

‘There does not need to be “intent” to award a penalty. You do not know the rules. New to the game?’

‘Definite foul.’

‘It was the correct VAR decision.’

‘Neither were penalties….Gordon cheats all the time….get away with it when 3 lions appear on ya shirt clearly.’

‘It’s not even a clear and obvious error. VAR shouldn’t get involved, referee should have the confidence not to overturn it. Gordon fouled Phillips and Coufal, yet somehow wins two penalties from it.’

‘Both 100% penalties, not arguable.’

‘Is that how you con a penalty now? Wait for the opposition player (who’s in control of the ball) to pull his leg back before clearing, make sure he can’t see you, then quickly sneak between his leg and the ball to prevent him from kicking it? The officials literally have no clue do they? And to top it off, Gordon gets man of the match.’

‘and sent off to cap off a sensational victory for Eddie.’

(Everton fan) Gordon and VAR cheated Hammers here – twice Gordon bought penalties while having no intention of playing the ball – and VAR gave them – best sending off in years !!’

‘VAR didn’t give either penalty, the referee gave both.’

‘Arrogant Moyes takes striker off with half hour to go.’

‘Gordon is a nasty little diver.

I’m constantly baffled by how often officials are fooled by players sticking their leg in front of a player who’s about to kick the ball, then going down feigning injury. Gordon is an expert at it. Very funny to see him sent off at the end.’

‘4-3, now thats funny.’

‘Injury or not kicking a player is a foul. Penalty area means…’

‘And Paqueta throwing himself to ground over the most innocuous contact doesn’t warrant a comment?’

‘I think you’ll find that he went down because Phillips kicked him – that’s not a dive.’

‘Both were definite penalties. And the second goal should never have been allowed to have occurred.’

‘As well as it being unsporting from West Ham while a player was down, the ball was also in the completely wrong place from where the foul occurred for that second West Ham goal. Terrible ref – inconsistency is the problem. 99% of refs would not allow that to happen.’

‘Gordon’s cheating swung that game. Both not penalties.’

‘Thanks for taking an interest in Newcastle United Football Club and the superb Anthony Gordon.’

‘Thank you Newcastle and West ham. That was some game. From a neutral.’

‘Phillips has confirmed why he shouldn’t be going to the Euros.’

‘Great game to watch but pathetic, rubbish commentating forcing most of the game with mute button on. How great it would be just to hear the crowd without these particular commentators, the worst on TV.’

‘(West Ham fan) Anthony Gordon is an absolute disgrace. Ref awarded two penalties was a disgrace. You should not get a penalty by stepping in front of a player who’s kicking the ball. Appalling decisions. West Ham failed to close out the game and withdrawing Antonio was a tactical error. Was Paqueta on holiday in the second half? Moyes should’ve kept him in midfield battling with Guimaraes.’

‘Keep crying mate.’

‘I think you will find if a player steps across a player and is kicked its a foul! Simple rules!’

‘Anthony Gordon is one of the smartest footballers around. It’s about time defenders woke up to his talent and smartness. Great acquisition by nufc.’

‘Look at the match stats , Toon deserved the win.’

‘I can see why some Hammers fans don’t like Moyes defensive mindset. They were 3-1 up and cruising and he takes off Antonio and bring on a cdm in Phillips. They then totally lost the momentum and it cost them the match. At 3-2 he then takes off Prowse and brings on another defender in Johnson!’

‘Cracking game of football from a neutral. Very entertaining match.’

‘In a nutshell, this game is why West Ham fans want Moyes sacked. 3-1 up and cruising against a depleted Newcastle. Instead of going for the kill, takes off his striker for Kalvin Phillips.

You make your own luck.’

‘Best game of the season. It had everything!’

‘What a cracking game and what a comeback of comebacks, Don’t think it was a penalty though, Philips was well in ball clearance motion and Gordon just got his foot in between the ball and Philips foot he didn’t touch the ball, so bad decision by ref especially when he viewed the screen as well. Nevertheless for the neutral it was a hell of a entertaining game. Cheers Toon and Hammers for a cracker.’

‘You don’t need to touch the ball to be in control of it, especially when the ball is hardly moving.’

‘Incredible game but confused by pen.

Surely phillips was ‘in possession’ and gordon positioned his foot between phillips’ swinging foot and the ball, without touching the ball first. Surely gordon has to be in possession to be fouled?

The VAR and refs both felt different, so clearly I am wrong. Just not sure how!…

Anyway. Awesome game for the neutral…’

‘Premier league back with a bang! International break, are you watching? This is football!’

‘Explain how a player trying to kick the ball, but kicks an opponent instead, is not a free kick. Phillips was unlucky, too slow, unaware, Gordon was not! That’s what happens when your career is wrecked by a big money club which steals your confidence and then tosses you away!’

‘I lived in Newcastle for 4 months and all Geordie people are so nice to me. Wish I could stay but will remember great friends. All are very strong supporter of the toon so very happy they win.’

‘This is why Moyes must go, blooming typical – West Ham leading comfortably so he decided to take Antonio off meaning West Ham can no longer get up the pitch and inviting constant pressure which eventually paid of for Newcastle.’

‘Blatant pen. Did Phillips kick Gordon or the ball? It doesn’t matter how or why, did he kick Gordon’s leg?’

Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Saturday 30 March 12.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 6 pen, 77 pen, Barnes 83, 90

West Ham:

Antonio 21, Kudus 45+10, Bowen 48

Possession was West Ham 40% (37%) Newcastle 60% (63%)

Total shots were West Ham 9 (6) Newcastle 24 (12)

Shots on target were West Ham 4 (3) Newcastle 9 (4)

Corners were West Ham 4 (2) Newcastle 3 (1)

Referee: Robert Jones

Newcastle team v West Ham:

Dubravka; Livramento (Almiron 56 (Barnes 67)), Lascelles (Krafth 17 (Hall 57)), Schar, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock (Anderson 57); Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Subs:

Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, White

(David Moyes embarrasses himself with comments after Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 thriller – Read HERE)

(Eddie Howe absolutely loving what he saw today – That’s the beauty… Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 West Ham 3 – Never ever doubt the character of this Newcastle United squad – Read HERE)

(This is the photo that all Newcastle United fans will absolutely love today… See HERE)

Newcastle United confirmed Premier League matches to mid-April 2024:

Tuesday 2 April 2024 – Newcastle v Everton (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 6 April 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 13 April 2024 – Newcastle v Spurs (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)

Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)

Newcastle United fixtures, including to be confirmed matches:

Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle

Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)