Troy Deeney criticises Newcastle striker Callum Wilson

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Newcastle United drew 1-1 with Fulham on Saturday evening in an incident-packed match that saw Cottagers defender Joachim Andersen sent off in the second half – and Troy Deeney has criticised Callum Wilson on TalkSPORT (Monday, 9.25am).

Fulham took the lead as Tosin Adarabioyo’s header from a corner bounced through the six-yard box, eventually hitting Matt Ritchie in the face and ending up in the Newcastle net. But the Toon did equalise.

Before Newcastle’s goal, Miguel Almiron’s driving run found an on-rushing Wilson – but after a tussle with Andersen, he fell to the floor. Andersen was shown a red card despite the minimal contact, and Wilson converted the penalty to make it 1-1.

The score remained the same until full-time, with Scott Parker’s former side denying Fulham a crucial Premier League win. Watford captain Deeney criticised Wilson, claiming his decision to hit the deck so softly was a “poor one”.

“It’s a tough one. Naturally, I’m sitting here thinking that’s not a penalty. but with a player’s hat on, you go down because VAR needs that. But it is a poor one. I would’ve backed Callum to score anybody so I don’t know why he has gone,” Deeney said.

TBR’s view – VAR howler, despite a very good week for Stockley Park

There were many instances over the weekend that VAR got right. Turning John Lundstram and Jake Livermore’s yellow cards into reds, for example. But for the referee to miss that the contact on Wilson stops after entering the penalty area is baffling.

Regardless as to whether Wilson should have gone down or not, whether staying on his feet or going down means VAR will check it or not, and whether VAR should only give advice to the referee – Fulham should feel aggrieved.