Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe believed that the decision to not give a penalty for a challenge on Callum Wilson “decided” the victory for Arsenal on Saturday. Speaking after the game, Howe was quick to point to the decision as a turning point in the game that swung it in Mikel Arteta’s favour
Eddie Howe said: “I thought it was a good performance, especially the start. We were good for the first half an hour. We came under pressure. The game was decided in the incident with Callum Wilson and the penalty – a tough call against us – then they scored in the aftermath. I don’t know why Callum [Wilson] would go down – he was one on one, a great chance. Games swing on those moments. It feels like those big calls have gone against us.”
The result meant Howe’s side stayed bottom of the league, without a Premier League win in their opening 13 fixtures. As for Arteta’s men, they responded well to the Liverpool loss and consolidated fifth in the league and level with West Ham United in those all important Champions League spots.