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Newcastle United were awarded a penalty for a handball by Ola Aina during a chaotic first 30 minutes at St James’ Park.
VAR played a key role in the decision, stepping in to reverse the initial call made by referee Jarred Gillett.
Despite strong appeals from Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall, whose cross hit Aina’s arm, the referee initially waved away the claims.
Gillett, who had also awarded Newcastle a penalty in their previous match against Manchester City, went to the pitchside monitor to review the incident.
After watching the replays, he pointed to the spot. The Premier League later explained the VAR decision on social media.
The PL Match Centre posted on X: “#NEWNFO – 29’ VAR OVERTURN. VAR recommended an on-field review for a possible handball by Aina – with his arm deemed to be in an unnatural position. After review, the referee awarded a penalty to Newcastle United.”
Alexander Isak took the penalty and converted it, though he was fortunate as his shot went straight down the middle.
Despite minimal movement from goalkeeper Matz Sels, he couldn’t prevent it from going in. This was Isak’s first goal at St James’ Park since mid-January, and he quickly added a second.
A swift counterattack saw Joe Willock set up Isak, who finished the move with a strike that deflected off a Forest defender, putting Newcastle 4-1 ahead after initially falling behind to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal just six minutes in.
Lewis Miley’s well-taken goal had earlier leveled the score, and Jacob Murphy, who had been at fault for Forest’s opener, added another by bundling in a deflected cross from Hall, continuing his strong form for the Magpies.
