That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Citizens should have been awarded a spot-kick inside two minutes on Saturday, 7 March.

Instead, Harvey Barnes opened the scoring at St James’ Park. However, thanks to goals from Savinho and Marmoush, Pep Guardiola’s side overcame their opponents despite the early controversy.

Man City are in the FA Cup quarter-finals, but Barrott and VAR could have made life much easier for the visitors had they been given a penalty in the opening moments.

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Tijjani Reijnders unfortanate as Malick Thiaw escapes punishment

In the first couple of minutes, Reijnders had the chance to open the scoring, but after missing the target, he was crunched into by Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw, sparking calls for a penalty.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “That’s a very hard challenge. This is worthy of a penalty kick, so I’m surprised. VAR’s dilemma is whether it’s a clear and obvious error.

“For me, it is. But VAR haven’t come in. I would have liked the referee to go over to the pitch-side monitor for a second look.

“Had he done so, I don’t think he’d have been left with any other option but to award a penalty. This was a foul, playing the man and not the ball. However you look at it, it’s a foul. It’s been overlooked.”

Which games will Pep Guardiola miss after new suspension?

Guardiola was absolutely furious with some of the refereeing decisions at St James’ Park, with the Man City boss making his feelings very clear on the sidelines.

Due to his protestations, especially after a foul was not called on Jeremy Doku, he was swiftly shown a yellow card, which turned out to be his sixth of the 2025-26 campaign.

With it being his sixth, Guardiola is now set to miss two matches, being forced to watch from the stands against West Ham in the Premier League and whoever City draw in the next round of the FA Cup.

He will be present, however, for Man City’s trip to Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, which will be a huge moment in the season, given how the Gunners are playing right now.

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