Former top referee rules on this controversial Newcastle v Spurs incident

Former top referee Keith Hackett has been talking about this controversial moment during Tuesday night’s game at St James’ Park.

The match eventually ending Newcastle 2 Spurs 2.

The Spurs goal had led a charmed life before Bruno finally put United ahead on 71 minutes, only for the away side to equalise only six minutes later.

Then came a huge moment.

On the pitch referee Thomas Bramall was sent to the pitchside monitor after the VAR spotted Rodrigo Bentancur holding Newcastle defender Dan Burn in the penalty area and dragging him to the ground,  as United took a corner.

Anthony Gordon scored the 86th minute penalty, only for Spurs to score a soft second equaliser in added time.

Over on Twitter/X, the official Premier League match manager said that the penalty had been awarded because Bentancur “clearly does not look at the ball” while committing a “holding offence” as he drags down Dan Burn.

Thomas Frank was very critical of the match officials for the penalty award and bizarrely claimed it was a; “…more than well deserved point” for Spurs, despite the visitors having only two shots on target all game.

Anyway, so what does the former top referee Keith Hackett make of that penalty incident?

Keith Hackett, the ex-FIFA referee and former PGMOL who has given this perfect analysis on what we all saw, via his Twitter/X account:

“Bentancur is holding Dan Burn.

Correct decision to award a penalty kick.”

Also, when speaking to Tottenham News after the match, Keith Hackett repeated how he thought it was a very clear penalty and that hopefully the award of this kind of spot-kick, will see a reduction in the ridiculous holding/grappling by defenders that we have become so used to at corners.

Newcastle 2 Spurs 2 – Tuesday 2 December 2025 8.15pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Bruno 71, Gordon 86 pen

Spurs:

Romero 78, 90+5

Possession was Newcastle 53% Spurs 47%

Total shots were Newcastle 19 Spurs 8

Shots on target were Newcastle 7 Spurs 2

Corners were Newcastle 11 Spurs 8

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 38 Spurs 22

Newcastle team v Spurs:

Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Tonali (Bruno 46), Miley (Schar 93), Barnes (Gordon 66), Jacob Murphy (Elanga 66), Woltemade

Unused subs:

Ruddy, Willock, Ramsey, Neave, Alex Murphy