'It’s ludicrous!: Steve Bruce hits out after Newcastle United claim dramatic point

Bruce's side drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon thanks to an injury-time penalty from Callum Wilson.

Eric Dier had been penalised for inadvertently handling a header down from Andy Carroll after a lengthy VAR check and pitchside review from referee Peter Bankes.

Tottenham had seemingly been heading for a win thanks to a first-half strike from Lucas Moura.

“We’ve got away with one,” said United head coach Bruce, whose side has taken four points from its opening three Premier League games.

“It’s fallen for us today, but I really think we should all query these new rules and ask who makes them, as well as look at the way we’re now executing them as well.

“I thought VAR was going to come in for clear and obvious decisions. It’s ludicrous, and, for me, it ruins the spectacle of the Premier League. If we’re not careful, all we’re going to talk about is VAR, and VAR decisions. For me, that’s not right.

“The handball rules have existed for maybe 100 years. If it’s a deliberate and obvious handball, or its denying a goalscoring opportunity, then yes.

"But I don’t even think Dier was looking at the ball. I’m not a big lover of it at all.

"We’ve got away with one today, and I should be in favour of it, but I know it’ll bite me eventually, and that’s wrong.”

An International Football Association Board amendment to the handball law appears to have been interpreted particularly harshly by the Premier League and the Football Association – and more accidental handballs by defenders are being penalised.

“We saw it in Saturday’s games too – we don’t seem to be talking about the game at all, all we seem to be talking about is VAR incidents,” said Bruce.

“It’s a nonsense. If you’re going to jump for the ball, like Dier did, then your arms are going to be up. It’s impossible not to jump like that.

“If you look at a high jumper, then the first thing that goes up is their arm. That’s what gives them the momentum. It’s impossible to jump without putting your arms up to give you some balance.

“It’s a whole nonsense – the whole VAR thing, and the handball law in particular, this year is a total nonsense. Maybe we can all get together and stop it because we’re ruining the spectacle.

“We’ve got away with one today, but it could easily have been one at our end.

"There was a big claim for one against Jamaal (Lascelles), and when you see it he’s actually in an unnatural position because he’s got his arms by his side! It’s a nonsense of a ruling.”

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho said: “I don’t want to comment, I just don’t want to.

“My team did a fantastic match – I cannot ask more from the players. Their goalkeeper was phenomenal. I cannot ask more from my players.”