Newcastle 2-1 Man City: Should Pep Guardiola’s side have been awarded a penalty?

With the score at 0-0 in the 18th minute, Foden entered the penalty area and took a shot that went out.

Newcastle defender Schar came flying across and caught the City midfielder by the left ankle with his spikes, leaving the England playmaker writhing in pain.

However, referee Barrott only awarded a goal kick for the home team, and video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson agreed with the decision on the field.

According to the Premier League’s handbook, if “contact is inevitable” between a defender and an attacker, then “play should generally be allowed to continue”.

However, the law also states that “where contact is careless (yellow card) or serious foul play (red card), the expected outcome is a penalty kick and appropriate sanction.”

In this case, Barrott thought Schar’s challenge was not reckless, but experts were divided on the decision.

“I think it was a penalty,” former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport.

“The referee may have seen that he cleared the shot before the contact, but Schar’s intervention affected Foden’s preparation for the shot and then the contact occurred. This is a foul.”

Former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t think Schar got the ball but I don’t think it was a penalty either.

“I don’t think you’ve done enough.”

Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said on Sky Sports that “there was contact” but what saved Schar was that Foden had already taken his shot.

“I don’t think it’s enough for him to be overthrown,” he added.