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Arsenal And Newcastle Serve Up Drama As VAR Takes Center Stage

Mikel Arteta addressing the media ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Fulham

Trips to St James’ Park are never short of noise, intensity, and controversy—and Sunday’s 2–1 Arsenal victory over Newcastle United was no exception. From fierce tackles to passionate protests, the atmosphere was as electric as it gets in the Premier League. But once again, it was VAR that stole the spotlight.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and vice-captain Bukayo Saka were quick to voice frustrations at the technology, claiming that its intervention spoiled the flow of the game. Yet on closer inspection, it may actually be Newcastle who have the stronger case for complaint.

The flashpoint came midway through the first half when Viktor Gyökeres burst through on goal, only to be clattered by Nick Pope. Referee Jarred Gillett initially pointed to the spot, but VAR Darren England advised a review. Pope had brushed the ball with his foot before making contact with the Arsenal striker, leading to the penalty being overturned. Arteta was unimpressed, arguing that the decision failed to meet the “clear and obvious error” threshold.

Saka echoed his boss, stating, “If it takes that long to decide, then it’s not clear and obvious.” However, refereeing analyst Dale Johnson pointed out that VAR was simply supplying Gillett with new information he hadn’t seen in real time. By those standards, the intervention was justified—and consistent with how VAR is applied across top leagues.

But while Arsenal protested about what wasn’t given, Newcastle may feel more aggrieved about what was ignored. The Magpies had strong appeals for handball against Gabriel waved away, while the Brazilian defender also avoided punishment for catching Nick Woltemade in the face. To rub salt into the wound, Gabriel popped up with the decisive goal at the other end.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe stayed calm under the circumstances, refusing to get dragged into the controversy. “I thought it might have been handball at first, but it wasn’t given, so we have to accept it,” he said, focusing instead on his team’s performance.

For Arsenal, the victory keeps momentum rolling, but the VAR narrative shows no signs of disappearing any time soon. For Newcastle, the frustration will linger—not just because of the result, but because they’ll feel the key calls fell against them.

At Sports Market International, we celebrate the thrill, the chaos, and yes, even the controversy that makes football the world’s best sport. And as Sunday’s clash proved, in the battle for points and pride, technology has become as much a part of the drama as the players themselves.

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Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw

Roy Keane reacting angrily during a football analysis session

Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.


“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.


Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

  • United lost control after scoring

  • They failed to win second balls

  • They should have killed the match earlier

  • The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.


West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.


Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.


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Premier League

Manchester United Left Shocked As Late West Ham Goal Snatches Dramatic Draw At Old Trafford

Manchester United Rue Missed Chances As West Ham Strike Late

Manchester United fans were left frustrated once again as a late goal from Soungoutou Magassa denied the Red Devils all three points in a tense 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
What looked like a routine victory slipped away in the 83rd minute, leaving United stuck in eighth place and still searching for consistency.


How The Match Unfolded

West Ham almost stunned the home crowd early when Aaron Wan-Bissaka accidentally set up Mateus Fernandes, whose shot was only kept out thanks to a Casemiro deflection.

United responded with waves of pressure:

  • Areola pulled off a superb save from Bryan Mbeumo

  • Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, and Bruno Fernandes all came close

  • Chaos in the West Ham box had fans on their feet

Despite United’s dominance, Jarrod Bowen kept the visitors dangerous, but new signing Senne Lammens was sharp to stop him.


United Looked In Control… Until They Weren’t

The second half opened with the same energy — Mbeumo kept asking questions of the West Ham defence, but Potts and Souček threw themselves into crucial blocks.

Eventually, the breakthrough arrived.

A loose ball from Casemiro fell to Diogo Dalot, who stayed composed and placed it beautifully into the bottom corner. Old Trafford erupted.
It felt like the game was finally in United’s hands.

But West Ham had other ideas.


Magassa’s First Goal Stuns Old Trafford

The Hammers pushed back with urgency, forcing United into panicked clearances.
Mazraoui even had to clear Bowen’s clever flick off the line to keep the lead alive.

Then the moment came.

In the 83rd minute, Soungoutou Magassa pounced — smashing home his first-ever goal for West Ham and shocking the home crowd.
Just like that… 1-1.
All United’s hard work undone in seconds.

Late chances for Mohamadou Kanté and Bruno Fernandes went begging, sealing another frustrating night for the Red Devils.

West Ham remain in the relegation zone, but this point might prove massive.
United, meanwhile, now have three draws in their last five games and still look far from convincing.


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Manchester United Cannot Afford To Let Joshua Zirkzee Leave In January Despite Inconsistency

Joshua Zirkzee’s rollercoaster journey at Manchester United continues, and the Dutch striker remains one of the most unpredictable — yet potentially game-changing — players in the squad. While inconsistency has frustrated fans and coaches alike, his ability to produce magical moments from nothing makes him far too valuable to let slip away during the January transfer window.

December 2024 set the tone for Zirkzee’s United story: a two-goal performance against Everton followed by humiliation against Newcastle, where he was substituted after just 33 minutes to the audible mockery of his own supporters. Fast forward a year, and Zirkzee’s status is still complex. He had not started a match until late November, prompting whispers among fans that his future at the club could be limited.

But when called upon, Zirkzee has the ability to turn matches on their head. Against Crystal Palace, he transformed a dull performance into a hero’s moment, scoring a brilliant goal and assisting in the winning play. Fans in the away end at Selhurst Park even chanted his name to the tune of Daft Punk’s “One More Time” — a reminder of how quickly perceptions can change.

Zirkzee’s career at United has often followed this pattern. After being jeered at Newcastle, he bounced back with a winning penalty against Arsenal in the FA Cup and scored in crucial Europa League away games against Real Sociedad and Lyon. He became a cult figure among supporters despite limited opportunities.

Yet, his role remains precarious. Following injuries and the arrival of £200 million worth of new attacking talent, Zirkzee has struggled to secure consistent playing time. Reports of frustration and interest from other clubs have surfaced, with Everton, West Ham, and several Italian teams, including Roma, monitoring his situation.

However, selling Zirkzee in January carries high risk and low reward. Interest from Roma is loan-based with conditions tied to Champions League qualification — a deal that provides United little certainty or immediate benefit. His flashes of brilliance, coupled with his potential to be a difference-maker in key moments, suggest that Manchester United should think twice before allowing him to depart.

In a squad with an already-packed attacking roster, Zirkzee’s unpredictability might just be exactly what United needs to turn tight games in their favor. For a player capable of producing moments of magic out of nothing, letting him go in January would be a gamble United cannot afford to take.


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