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Alan Stubbs has been left fuming Everton were not awarded a penalty against Newcastle United but the Premier League have explained why it wasn’t given.

Everton stretched their unbeaten run to three games on Saturday night as they held Newcastle United to a goalless draw at Goodison Park.

It was a game where refereeing decisions were the only real talking points. Abdoulaye Doucoure saw a headed goal correctly disallowed for off-side and James Tarkowski gave away a foolish penalty when he dragged Sandro Tonali to the ground.

Thankfully, Jordan Pickford was on hand to save Anthony Gordon’s effort but Evertonians were left fuming when their own penalty appeal in the second half fell on deaf ears.

Dwight McNeil pinched the ball of Tonali and played through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who saw his effort saved. When the striker attempted to reach the rebound, though, he went down after contact with Dan Burn.

The appeals from players and fans alike were loud but referee Craig Pawson turned them down. It was a decision that has left Everton great Alan Stubbs incandescent.

Alan Stubbs lambasted ‘woeful’ penalty decision in Everton vs Newcastle

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, during the game Stubbs couldn’t hide his anger that the spot kick wasn’t given.

He posted: “Craig Pawson with another woeful decision, embarrassing decision not to award a penalty!

“Best league in the world with the worst officiating!!”

Premier League explains penalty decision

Though it certainly looked like a penalty should have been given in real-time, slowed-down replays did tell a different story.

On closer inspection, it became clear that Calvert-Lewin had actually come into contact with Burn of his own volition and tripped himself up rather than being fouled.

That was the explanation from the Premier League, too, who quickly posted from their match centre account: “The referee’s call of no penalty for the challenge between Calvert-Lewin and Burn is checked and confirmed by VAR – deeming that Calvert-Lewin kicked the back of Burn’s leg.”

As frustrating as it is, especially given how much of a stonewaller it looked upon initial viewing, it’s hard to argue with the evidence.

It wasn’t a penalty and in this match, VAR was used correctly with the officials getting every big decision right.

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