Boxing Day Robbery? Shearer Blasts “Disgraceful” VAR as Man Utd Edge Past Newcastle
The festive spirit was nowhere to be found in the Sky Sports studio yesterday evening. Instead, it was replaced by a cold, hard fury as Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer unloaded on the officiating following Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over the Magpies at Old Trafford.
In a match that saw Ruben Amorim’s side climb to fifth in the Premier League table, the football was almost entirely overshadowed by a second-half handball incident that has left the Tyneside faithful—and their most famous son—absolutely livid.
The Goal: A Moment of Brilliance
The game itself was decided by a piece of pure technical quality in the 24th minute. Patrick Dorgu, making his first start under Amorim’s new-look 4-2-3-1 system, met a headed clearance from Nick Woltemade with a blistering left-footed volley. The ball whistled past Aaron Ramsdale, providing a rare highlight for a United side that spent much of the game under the cosh.
However, as the clock ticked past the hour mark, the “Dorgu Wonder-Goal” narrative was unceremoniously shoved aside for yet another VAR meltdown.
The Controversy: The Martinez Arm
With Newcastle dominating possession (finishing the half with 76%) and peppering the United goal, a corner fell to Fabian Schär at the back post. The Swiss defender lashed a goalbound effort that struck the clearly raised and extended arm of Lisandro Martínez.
The Newcastle players appealed in unison. To the naked eye, it looked like a “stonewall” penalty. Yet, after a brief check by VAR official Stuart Attwell, referee Anthony Taylor was told to play on. The logic? Martinez was supposedly “tussling” with Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw, and his arm was in a “natural” position for someone in a physical wrestling match.
“A Disgrace to the Game”
Alan Shearer, never one to mince words when it comes to his beloved Newcastle, was incandescent with rage. Speaking after the final whistle, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer didn’t hold back:
> “It’s a disgrace to the game. That 1-0 lead should have been wiped out in the first half—well, certainly by the hour mark. The VAR officials have handed United the win today, and Newcastle have every right to be fuming. How you can look at an arm that high, stopping a goalbound shot, and say ‘that’s fine’ is beyond me. It’s incompetence, plain and simple.”
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Shearer’s frustration stems from a pattern of “ridiculous” decisions against the Magpies, including a denied penalty against Chelsea just days prior.
Match Stats: Dominance Without Reward
While the refereeing will dominate the headlines, Eddie Howe will also be looking at his side’s inability to convert their dominance into goals.
| Statistic | Manchester United | Newcastle United |
|—|—|—|
| Score | 1 | 0 |
| Possession | 34% | 66% |
| Shots | 9 | 16 |
| Shots on Target | 2 | 3 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 | 2 |
Despite Lewis Hall rattling the crossbar and Senne Lammens producing a heroic save from a Bruno Guimarães header, the Magpies leave Manchester with nothing but a sense of injustice.
What’s Next?
For Manchester United, this is a massive result that keeps the “Amorim Revolution” rolling, despite the absence of captain Bruno Fernandes. For Newcastle, it’s a bitter pill to swallow as they remain stuck in mid-table, wondering if they’ll ever get a 50/50 decision in their favor.
Would you like me to look up the current Premier League table to see exactly how this result affec
ts the race for the Top 4?
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