Dermot Gallagher weighs in on huge Craig Pawson decision that could have changed the game between BHAFC and NUFC

We knew Monday's edition of Ref Watch on Sky Sports news would be a good one given all of the controversy surrounding Craig Pawson's display in the game against Brighton and Newcastle United.

The attention-seeking referee pointed to the spot three times for Newcastle United with only one of those decisions actually sticking.

While those decisions did ultimately end up being corrected by VAR, the lads at Stockley Park were powerless when it came to Pawson's biggest blunder.

Having already been booked, Mats Wieffer clattered into Sandro Tonali with his studs up at ankle height in what was a clear yellow card challenge. There were a few mitigating factors that stopped it from being a straight red, and as such VAR couldn't get involved, but the feeling was that it was a definite second yellow.

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Dermot Gallagher confirms what we all thought: Craig Pawson bottled it

Speaking on his Ref Watch segment on Sky Sports News, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher weighed in with his thoughts on the situation, and Newcastle fans aren't going to like it.

INCIDENT:

Having already been booked after a foul on Harvey Barnes, Mats Wieffer then with a reckless challenge on Sandro Tonali that left the Italian needing lengthy treatment. Match referee Craig Pawson choosing not to give a second yellow and red card.

DERMOT GALLAGHER:

“I think he [Mats Wieffer] is lucky not to be sent off.

“The manager has dragged him off [straight after that Tonali challenge] and that speaks volumes.”

Gallagher gave Pawson credit for spotting the handball that resulted in a Newcastle penalty

Gallagher did give Pawson credit for spotting the handball, which resulted in Newcastle's penalty that was tucked away by Alexander Isak, but by then it was too late to make amends for the howler to allow Brighton to remove Wieffer from the game themselves.

A player being sent off doesn't automatically make things easier, and Newcastle have had plenty of games where they've struggled against 10 men, but it would definitely have affected the game somehow.

No use crying about it now, though, we've got Chelsea to take down next week, and that's where the focus needs to be.