Aleksandar Mitrovic's penalty ruled out after rare 'double touch' rule goes against him

Aleksandar Mitrovic's penalty to give Fulham the lead against Newcastle United was ruled out after a rare double touch inside the area.

Marco Silva's side received a glorious chance to go ahead at St. James' Park when Kieran Trippier brought Bobby Decordova-Reid down on the edge of the area.

VAR informed referee Robert Jones, who pointed to the spot despite protests from the Newcastle players.

It initially looked like Andreas Pereira would take the penalty before Mitrovic stepped up against his former club.

The Serbia international stared down Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope, who had been booked for his protests, knowing how crucial his 12th goal of the season would be.

Mitrovic stepped up and slipped as he took his penalty, firing it past Pope to put Fulham ahead. As Mitrovic slipped, he booted the ball into his ankle.

An IFAB rule states: "The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player."

As Mitrovic touched the ball twice himself, it means the penalty could not stand. The 28-year-old was visibly frustrated as the home crowd roared in celebration.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! 🤯

Aleksandar Mitrović slips as he takes the penalty and the goal has been disallowed as he touched the ball twice! 😲 pic.twitter.com/kh7gOGSI6t

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 15, 2023

Fulham were made to pay for the miss. In the 89th minute, Alexander Isak nodded home from close range after Callum Wilson kept Sean Longstaff's wicked delivery alive.

Last-gasp victory takes Eddie Howe's men back into third, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.

Mitrovic was initially a popular figure at Newcastle until Rafael Benitez's appointment in 2016. He slowly became a bit-part player, something which still frustrates him to this day.

He told The Athletic: "I’m not going to lie: that was a hard time for me I felt I was not wanted in his team. Which I respect because every manager has different views of football.

"Around that time, I also missed the penalty for my national team which meant we [Serbia] didn’t go to the Euros. It was a hard time but, as always, I believed in myself. I knew my own qualities and that, if I kept working hard, my time would come. I am not over-confident, but I am always confident."