Newcastle United learn disallowed goal verdict as Sunderland 'got away with one'

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Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw was rightly denied a goal in the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland , according to a former Premier League official. Ex-assistant referee Darren Cann has stated that Jacob Murphy's interference from an offside position cost the Magpies their goal, despite some believing Sunderland 'got away with one'.

Eddie Howe's side appeared to have seized a crucial advantage in the second half when the German defender struck. However, Anthony Taylor swiftly disallowed the goal to extinguish Newcastle's celebrations.

The decision proved even more painful as Brian Brobbey netted from close range in the 90th minute to ensure Newcastle's heartbreak for the second time in a week. Anthony Gordon had put them ahead at St James' Park before Chemsdine Talbi's first-half equaliser.

Cann clarified the decision to chalk off Thiaw's goal. "The match officials were spot on regarding the disallowed goal from Thiaw," he said.

"Unfortunately for Newcastle , Jacob Murphy was standing in an offside position in front of Melker Ellborg the Sunderland keeper and in direct physical contact with him.

"In law, the goal had to be disallowed. It was an excellent decision to spot this in real time (without the need for VAR) by Anthony Taylor and assistant referee Gary Beswick."

In the commentary box, former Arsenal star Alan Smith felt Sunderland might have escaped punishment. He said: "Such a crowded box, Anthony Taylor sees something in the box nobody else did."

"Standing in front of the 'keeper? Surely not. Well, yeah, Murphy is definitely not but interfering with the 'keeper? Maybe Sunderland got away with one, perhaps."

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Smith believed Newcastle could have been carrying the weight of their Champions League elimination. "I wondered if there would be a sort of hangover for Newcastle after that Barcelona humiliation," he added.

"I think, maybe physically, and physiologically we have seen it. Eddie Howe after that game said he and the coaches had work to do to bring them back."

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher suggested that Newcastle could not match their local rivals physically. "Newcastle just cannot beat Sunderland," he said.

"What a moment for them, they could not have dreamed about this in the last 10 years and do the double over their fierce rivals, their fans will remember this for some time.

"It was coming in the second half, Newcastle looked absolutely shattered and Sunderland deserved this in the second half. Newcastle could not match them physically in the second half and it was only right that Brobbey got the winning goal."

The result saw Sunderland climb one spot above Newcastle in the Premier League table into 11th after securing a memorable double over their bitter rivals, having beaten them 1-0 at home earlier in the campaign.

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