FULL-TIME 2-3: FA finally releases official statement on Man United Two penalties not awarded as PGMOL admit huge mistake – Decision taken just now
Manchester United have been told the decision to award Anthony Gordon a penalty was correct, while Newcastle United midfielder Jacob Ramsey’s sending off was branded “harsh.” The first half at St James Park suddenly came to life in added time as the referee was forced into two huge calls.
First, Ramsey was controversially sent off for the home side just as the match entered into injury time of the first period. The Englishman hurdled a challenge from Senne Lammens and was adjudged to have dived before being given a second yellow card by referee Peter Bankes.
The home fans were furious with the call, which reduced them to ten men. Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given and former Rangers forward Ally McCoist felt the call to send Ramsey off was harsh and that the ex-Aston Villa man was not trying to deceive Peter Bankes.
When asked about the red card, ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said: “I think it’s extremely harsh. I think because he doesn’t go down when the keeper is out, he takes a step, takes a second and then just collapses. I think that’s what they’ve seen but I think it’s harsh as well.”
McCoist also said: “It’s an interesting one. Initially, when he goes down, I wasn’t sure he was looking for it. He knocks the ball by him, I’m not sure it’s a real effort to con the referee, to be honest with you.
“I know he goes to ground, but there’s no way he’s giving a penalty. Is he just trying to get out of the road? Is he off-balance? That’s a really interesting one. Does he touch him there, and it just knocks him off balance a little bit?”
Jacob Ramsey of Newcastle United is shown a red card by referee Peter Bankes during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park on March 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Jacob Ramsey was sent off just before half time (Image: 2026 Alex Livesey – Danehouse)
The red card proved to be the catalyst for a bonkers period of added time in the first half. Gordon ran up the other end, cut inside Fernandes and fell over the Portuguese midfielder’s trailing leg.
He then made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending Lammens the wrong way to give the Magpies the lead. When asked about the penalty call, Given said: “This is a much easier decision for Peter Bankes, he took his time, but you saw Sandro Tonali was adamant and then he’s convinced himself.
“Bruno Fernandes was pleading innocence but I think he’ll see from the replay it was a clear penalty, knee on knee, it’s a penalty for me.”
Casemiro of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James’ Park on March 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Casemiro scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season
This time, Fernandes was the one pulling United back into the game, as his out-swinging free-kick was expertly headed in by Casemiro at the near post shortly afterwards. United pushed for a winner, only to be caught on the break in the final exchanges of the match.
Newcastle striker William Osula received the ball on the right-wing, cut inside Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire and whipped a sensational finish into the far corner. Despite having a one man disadvantage for over half the game, Osula’s strike wrapped up a 2-1 victory for Howe’s team.
