Premier League forced to release two VAR statements in Newcastle United vs Ipswich Town

The Premier League have released two statements regarding controversial incidents in Newcastle United's clash with Ipswich Town.

After Chelsea's late winner against Everton, Eddie Howe's squad know they need a win, against Ipswich, to climb back into the top-four as the race for Champions League football heats up.

With Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa all in FA Cup action this weekend, the Toon take on the Tractor Boys knowing a win will put them in a strong position for a return to the Champions League.

With Ipswich needing a win to cling on to their Premier League status, the clash at St James' Park promised to be lively and it certainly lived up to that billing.

In the opening minutes of the match-up, Ipswich's Sam Morsy fouled Joe Willock on the halfway line, much to the disliking of the Newcastle star who pushed his opponent away.

Then in the 27th minute of the game, VAR intervened for an off the ball incident involving the same two players. Willock was - again - left unhappy by the coming together, with on-field referee Michael Salisbury consulting his Video Assistant Referee.

However, VAR checked for a potential red card against Morsy, but despite Willock's remonstrations, there was no violent conduct.

A statement from the Premier League read: "VAR checked for a potential red card against Morsy and deemed that there was no act of violent conduct."

Nonetheless, the game didn't quieten down with Ben Johnson shown a red card for his two bookable offences, the second of those coming in the 37th minute. Having already been shown a yellow card for a dive, Johnson was given his marching orders for a blatant foul on Alexander Isak.

With the Tractor Boys down to ten men, the home side turned the screw - with Sandro Tonali hitting the crossbar before another flashpoint in first-half stoppage time. Jacob Murphy was pulled down to the ground by Julio Enciso, with Salisbury waving away appeals.

However, VAR once again intervened and told the official to go to the monitor to award a spot-kick - which Isak dispatched to give the Magpies the lead.

The second statement from the Premier League read: "VAR checked the referee's call of no penalty to Newcastle United for a challenge by Enciso on Murphy - and deemed Enciso committed a pulling offence and recommended an on-field review. The referee overturned the original decision and awarded a penalty to Newcastle."

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