Anthony Taylor’s Newcastle United decisions cause anger as Jamie Carragher calls for rule change

Referee Anthony Taylor had a memorable day officiating Newcastle United’s 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Both sets of supporters criticized the referee, but the Magpies supporters were particularly annoyed with him during a grumpy first half away from home.

Despite having a fantastic view of the early incident, Taylor’s first error of the day was failing to see a blatant Ryan Yates elbow to Tino Livramento’s head. Morgan Gibbs-White led Forest’s attack a few seconds later, drawing a foul call from Dan Burn in the center of the park.

The Newcastle defender received his fifth card of the season for the ill-advised tackle, which entails a one-game suspension. As Forest had a man advantage and were able to take their own free-kick in Newcastle’s half, Livramento was pulled off the field to receive medical attention for a split open lip.

Jamie Carragher was very incensed by this and expressed his thoughts during his commentary duties on Sky Sports. He groaned, “It’s something to look at the way that rule has been set up right now.”

“I mean, Livramento ought to have had a free kick after getting hit there. Livramento is unable to defend Nottingham Forest’s free kick. In reality, they are down to ten guys. That must be altered. There is no truth to that.

After putting a very high boot on Sean Longstaff’s leg just before halftime, Yates was fortunate to escape punishment for another one. The Forest star probably would have received a penalty if the Newcastle player had gone to ground instead of continuing.

Yates made another poorly-timed challenge on Bruno Guimaraes in the second-half, again escaping any form of punishment. Finally, in the 65th minute, he was entered into Taylor’s pocketbook for his fourth incident of the game.

Forest were also unhappy with Burn escaping a second booking in the second period. The centre-back steamed into a tackle on Jota as Forest countered, winning the ball but also taking the man.

Taylor blew for a foul but let Burn off without another card, which angered many of the home supporters.

“Burn is a lucky lucky boy,” Kevin Nolan told the BBC mid-game. “He stopped the momentum of the counter-attack while on a yellow card. It’s a yellow by the laws of the game, he’s got that one wrong Anthony Taylor.”