Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle says the controversy over referee’s Keith Stroud’s controversial penalty decision should not be allowed to overshadow the Magpies’ performance against Burton Albion.
Matt Ritchie scored the only goal of the game after the penalty controversy and Gayle believes the team should focus more on the three points that were gained. He is quoted by the Shields Gazette as saying:
“Of course it’s very frustrating and it’s the talking point at the end of the game. But I thought we played well and we didn’t really give Burton too much of a chance. It’s important to remember all the good things in the game and hopefully we can push on and prove ourselves again on Saturday.”
Gayle was heavily involved in the penalty controversy. He was fouled for Stroud to award the spot kick in the first place, but was then penalised for encroaching on Ritchie’s attempt to score from 12 yards.
Stroud apologised via a statement after the game, explaining an indirect free kick was incorrectly awarded when a re-take was the correct call to make according to the rules.
In any case, the 1-0 win means Rafa Benitez’s side have regained top spot from Brighton in the Championship table, heading into the last six games of the season.
