VAR made a mistake in 43rd minute of Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle, Jamie Carragher agrees

Nottingham Forest and Newcastle played out an action-packed Premier League game at the City Ground on Sunday.

   In the 21st minute, Murillo headed the Reds on their way to a sixth Premier League win of the season – although goals from Alexander Isak, Joelinton and Harvey Barnes helped Newcastle pull off the turnaround.

   The result lifted Newcastle up to eighth in the Premier League ahead of the international break.

   But the comeback could have been a lot easier for Eddie Howe – had VAR not missed a crucial moment in the 43rd minute with Ryan Yates and Sean Longstaff.

   Ryan Yates should have been dismissed by VAR in Nottingham Forest 1-3 Newcastle

   The Nottingham Forest number 22 made a knee-deep tackle on Newcastle’s number 36 just before half-time, with Anthony Taylor only a foot away.

   Longstaff was even seen screaming in pain, but chose to continue rather than have a meal.

   But – regardless of his reaction – we believe Yates’ challenge deserved to be sent off and the VAR was wrong not to investigate the situation and advise Taylor to be shown a red card.

   Carragher seemed to agree.    Commenting on Sky Sports, the 46-year-old said: “Longstaff is doing Yates a favor there. He got away with an elbow earlier.”

   It was no different than Daichi Kamada’s challenge on Kenny Tete during Fulham’s 2-0 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday, which saw the Japan international receive a straight red card.

   Sean Longstaff deserves credit

   In the modern era of football, where players regularly roll around the pitch trying to fool the officials, we think Longstaff, who is suspended for the Carabao Cup quarter-final, deserves credit for continuing to play.

   Of course, if the Geordie went down, Yates would almost certainly be in trouble and Howe might not be happy with his number 36 for doing his opponent a “favour” – as Carragher put it – while Newcastle trailed Nottingham Forest.

   Still, Longstaff – who Leicester wanted to sign last summer – is clearly a real specialist and it was good to see him on his feet.