Thomas Frank expects apology from Howard Webb as Brentford ‘trolled’ by VAR in Newcastle defeat

Wilson’s penalty earned the hosts their first win in four Premier League matches as they narrowly beat Brentford 1-0 at St James’ Park on Saturday.

After a first half of few chances, Wilson thought he had given Newcastle a boost just after the break, but the referee blew his whistle for a foul on Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

However, it was Flekken who stood in the way in the 64th minute, when he brought down Anthony Gordon in the penalty area and Wilson stepped up to hide from the penalty spot.

Newcastle were awarded another spot-kick late in the match, but referee Craig Pawson’s decision was overturned following a VAR review.

Brentford never really looked like avoiding their first defeat of the campaign as Newcastle moved up to 11th in the table, level on six points with Thomas Frank’s side in 10th.

“The break probably came at a good time for us, we were on a losing streak and needed to get back to winning ways,” Wilson told Sky Sports.

“We had to win lousy and three points were the most important today. We believe in each other.

“Pressure is for the tires. For me, practice (penalties) in training and on a match day, you’ve done it so many times and it’s just one rehearsal, stay calm and c “That’s what I did.”

Newcastle’s three successive defeats before the visit of Brentford had dampened expectations around St James’ Park after an impressive last season in which they lost just three of their last 14 matches.

Against a well-organized Brentford, Newcastle looked like an out-of-form team at every turn, with Bruno Guimaraes’ point-blank header their only real chance to break through in the first half.

Newcastle improved considerably after the break, with Wilson at the heart of everything that was good about them.

Flekken had no chance of repelling Wilson’s expertly executed spot-kick, as the England striker scored his eighth goal in his last seven league starts.

He has also scored 15 of the 16 penalties he has awarded in the Premier League, with only Matthew Le Tissier, Danny Murphy and James Beattie achieving a higher share among players who have taken as many as Wilson.

A disappointing response from Brentford meant they failed to score for the first time in eight league matches and Newcastle kept just their third Premier League clean sheet since February.

“I don’t think it’s a penalty,” Frank said.

“We faced a similar situation a few weeks ago against Tottenham when Kevin Schade had finished, a clear contact with the goalkeeper brought him off but apparently he (the goalkeeper) came off before. And they also talked about a situation between Arsenal and Manchester City but it was a penalty awarded.

“But in the future it shouldn’t be penalties. We have a goalkeeper who clearly pulls back and a player who intelligently leaves his leg hanging there. It’s not a penalty.

“If the assistant hadn’t made the decision, it would have to be 100% humans who would make decisions like that, so I’m confident that VAR wouldn’t have overturned the decision, so I think it is a problem.

“But because it’s not clear and obvious, it’s too tight. Now we’ll have a situation where Howard Webb will come and apologize for the situation and say ‘we’re sorry’. I just think it’s too long but it can happen.”

Additional PA Reports