Gary Neville left in stitches by referee’s announcement during Newcastle vs Arsenal

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville was left chuckling at the sight of Simon Hooper explaining why Newcastle’s goal against Arsenal was chalked off in front of a packed home crowd

Gary Neville couldn’t hide his amusement after listening to Simon Hooper explain why VAR had disallowed a goal in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Arsenal.

The Gunners travelled north trailing 2-0 from the first leg and needing a big performance to reach Wembley. But they were left staring defeat in the face after just four minutes when Alexander Isak found the back of the net.

Unfortunately for Newcastle and Isak, their joy was short-lived as his strike was chalked off following a lengthy VAR check.

It was announced before the first leg of the semi-finals that referee’s would explain the final decision of any VAR checks to fans inside the stadium, meaning Hooper was tasked with explaining why Isak’s strike would not count.

And after watching Hooper do just that, Neville couldn’t help but chuckle, saying: “I’ve never seen that before – that’s how to make referee’s unpopular!”

The statement confirming the PGMOL trial back in January outlined that such moments would be explained by referees. The statement read: “VAR will be in place for this season’s Carabao Cup Semi-Finals, along with the first use of in-stadium VAR announcements in English football.

“As part of the trial, referees will announce (over the stadium public address system) the final decision following a visit to the VAR pitchside monitor, or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgements.

“Only the final decision will be announced in the stadium.”

While the home fans were less than impressed when Hooper informed them Isak’s goal wouldn’t stand, they weren’t disappointed for long as Josh Murphy did strike just 15 minutes later to nudge Newcastle into a convincing position.

And the game was put beyond them early in the second half when David Raya’s poor pass to Declan Rice was cut out by Fabian Schar, leaving Anthony Gordon with the simplest of tasks to make it 2-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate.

Newcastle will go on to face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the final at Wembley next month. Spurs head to Anfield on Thursday night with a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, meaning the onus is on Arne Slot and co to get at their opponents from the off.

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