Alan Shearer and Micah Richards agree after Gary Lineker's Newcastle United claim
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards were in agreement about Newcastle United's penalty against Manchester City, with both former players claiming the decision was a soft one.
Referee Jarred Gillett awarded the Magpies a spot kick when Anthony Gordon was brought down by City shot stopper Ederson in the second-half. The Newcastle winger stepped up to dispatch the spot kick under pressure and ensure Eddie Howe's side of a share of the spoils.
However, a number of City supporters felt the penalty was a soft one, with Shearer and Richards agreeing. A Man City fan tweeted Shearer: "There’s literally no contact and if there is it’s less then jota’s was [laughing face emoji] same energy @alanshearer , it just looks better still could have stayed on his feet."
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However, the Newcastle legend responded: "I didn’t think it was a pen. That ok?"
On Match of The Day, Gary Lineker and Theo Walcott both felt the decision to award Newcastle a penalty was the right one, despite the views of their fellow pundits.
Walcott said: "I feel like it's a penalty because when you're running at so much pace, the faintest of touches knocks you down and I definitely ran quicker than you [pointing to Michael Richards]."
Richards added: "There's contact there so I understand why they've given it but I still think it's a little bit soft."
"You know as a striker if you're going through and the goalkeeper comes out, and doesn't get the ball, then he'll be moving at you at such pace that just the slightest flick will flick you down," Lineker said. "There's no divine right for a striker to have to leap over the goalkeeper. So let him hit you."
Newcastle will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a second spot kick later on in the half, when Joelinton was bundled down by Kyle Walker, but referee Gillett waved play on. Responding to supporters calling for a penalty, Shearer said: "That was far more of a penalty yes."