Newcastle United were denied a penalty and a goal by the match officials during Sunday’s derby defeat to Sunderland at St James’ Park.

Newcastle United and Eddie Howe could make no excuses for their Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, despite some key decisions going against them.

The Magpies went ahead early through Anthony Gordon as the home side bounced on a Sunderland mistake to go 1-0 up.

But the celebrations didn’t last too long as Sunderland got themselves back into the game in the second half with Chemsdine Talbi equalising shortly after half-time before Brian Brobbey netted a 90th-minute winner.

It was a deserved derby victory for Sunderland on the whole, but there were two big decisions made by the match officials during the game that went against the home side.

With the score at 1-0, Gordon was denied a penalty after going down inside the box under a Trai Hume challenge. Referee Anthony Taylor waved away Newcastle’s appeals, and VAR did not get involved to overturn the decision.

In the second half, Malick Thiaw thought he’d put Newcastle back in front with a header from a corner only for the officials to rule out the goal due to Jacob Murphy being in an offside position and in front of the goalkeeper as the ball went in the net.

Again, VAR did not intervene as the referee’s decision to disallow the goal stood, and Newcastle could have few complaints.

NUFC penalty shout gets ‘Ref Watch’ analysis

While Newcastle’s disallowed goal was clearly offside, the penalty was slightly more contentious. Gordon had previously won similar penalties against West Ham United two years ago for putting his body in front of the ball and being kicked by an opponent.

He wasn’t quite as fortunate on this occasion.

Reflecting on the decision not to award Newcastle a penalty, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said during Sky Sports’ Ref Watch: “I think so [no penalty], I don’t think Hume does anything wrong. He has his foot planted and doesn’t make a challenge, Anthony Gordon actually invades his space.

“It’s unfortunate, it’s almost like Gordon catches Hume rather than the other way around.”

Former striker Jay Bothroyd added: “I think what Gordon has done there is he’s tried to get his body in. I don’t think he’s trying to dive, he’s just trying to get his body across the ball.

“I don’t think it’s a penalty, if you give penalties for that it’s really soft. If the defender was to try and kick it or clear the ball or pass it and he catches him then it’s a different conversation but I think that was the right decision.

“[Hume] knew as well, he didn’t have to protest, he just knew it wasn’t a penalty.”

Malick Thiaw disallowed goal

On the disallowed goal, Gallagher added: “It’s a great spot because [Murphy] is interferring with the goalkeeper, he’s actually making physical contact with him, impacts his ability to save the ball and is in his line of vision - not a goal.”

Bothroyd said: “It’s an easy one to be honest, if we ever talk about interferring with play, that’s the most obvious one because he’s actually having contact with the ‘keeper.”