Fabian Hurzeler and Eddie Howe agreed that VAR was right to overturn two Newcastle penalties – but the Brighton boss felt they missed one for his team.
Stockley Park said that Craig Pawson was wrong to give the visitors second-half spot-kicks when Tariq Lamptey tripped Anthony Gordon just outside the area and Joe Willock dived under a challenge from Jan Paul van Hecke.
Pawson got it right when Yasin Ayari handled in the 89th minute and Alexander Isak claimed Newcastle a point from the spot.
But the referee had earlier missed Sandro Tonali’s clumsy kick on Matt O’Riley, as Hurzeler said: ‘The referee blew the whistle when there’s not even a touch (Willock dive) and gave a penalty for them. I don’t see that there’s a big difference between the foul from Tariq on Gordon and the foul from Tonali on Matt O’Riley. I don’t see a big difference, so therefore I think if he gives the penalty, VAR has no chance to go into it.’
He added: ‘I always say the VAR makes the football more fair, and today we saw it (with the first two penalties overturned).’
Alexander Isak scored a late equaliser from the spot to give Newcastle a point against Brighton
Hurzeler and Eddie Howe agreed that VAR was right to overturn two Newcastle penalties
A point keeps Newcastle in fourth place as they battle for Champions League qualification
Howe said: ‘I think we kept our composure in those moments, because it’s not easy, and also making sure our performance wasn’t affected negatively by the outcomes of the decisions.
‘I think that is what VAR is there for, so if Anthony’s is outside the box, that’s the right decision. If Joe’s not touched by Van Hecke, that’s the right decision. I’ve got no issue with those two calls if that’s the case. The third one for me was a stonewall penalty the minute I saw it. I’m pleased that the right decision was made.
‘I think if you look at our season as a whole, we probably haven’t dug out enough points in games that are in the balance, which is surprising, really. I’m pleased that we did here.’
