Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Eddie Howe, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Premier League
Ryan Smart
Topics: Eddie Howe, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Premier League
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe's reaction to being told that opposite number Arne Slot entered the referee's room after the Magpies' 3-3 draw with Liverpool spoke volumes.
The two sides contested one of the games of the season at St James' Park, with Newcastle twice taking the lead before their visitors went 3-2 up through two quick-fire Mohamed Salah goals.
Newcastle would level in the closing stages when Fabian Schar poked the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle.
And the Magpies were left furious when referee Andy Madley blew the whistle at the end of stoppage time just as they were breaking forward on the counter attack to potentially win the game.
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There were some contentious decisions earlier in the game, while three Liverpool players were booked during the first half.
It later emerged that Slot had entered the referee's room at half-time in what was an unprecedented move, presumably to discuss those decisions with Madley.
After the game, Amazon Prime presenter Dan Walker informed Howe of the fact that Slot had entered the referee's room - and the Newcastle boss, who had already made his feelings clear on the full-time call, wasn't impressed.
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He replied: "I don't think I'll go there - I think that's a can of worms. I tend to focus on my team."
Howe had earlier remarked: "I was surprised by the final whistle because I think we'd spent around two minutes on a free kick in extra time, so I was expecting seven minutes to be played.
"I think it was 5:15 when he's blown, so that was a blow because it looked like we were in a good position.
"Then I think VAR looked at [the Virgil van Dijk and Anthony Gordon incident, where the Liverpool defender appeared to elbow the Newcastle winger] and concluded that nothing happened. So we have to accept it. I was surprised by it initially though."