Mo Salah ‘dive’ vs Newcastle: Did Liverpool forward con the ref – or was penalty deserved?

A Mohamed Salah penalty put Liverpool 2-0 up against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

With Manchester City struggling against Leicester it looked like a crucial goal as the Reds look to build their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

While Liverpool fans were delighted, it’s fair to say their counterparts in the away end, as well as a fair few pundits and neutrals on social media were less than impressed.

What happened?

SALAH SLOTS HOME

Liverpool are 2-0 up as Salah scores from the spot, but was it a penalty?

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Shortly after the start of the second half, Salah darted in to the penalty box from the right wing and, while running directly towards goal, fell under pressure from Paul Dummett.

It appeared as though the Newcastle full-back pulled Salah’s shoulder – although exactly how much contact there was is up for debate.

Either way, referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot and Salah coolly slotted home from 12 yards.

Reaction

Fans and pundits were divided over the incident. Former Manchester United and Aston Villa forward Dion Dublin felt Salah “conned” the ref.

“There was hardly any contact, I was actually wincing to myself,” said Dublin on BBC Final Score.

“It was dramatic to fall to the ground like that. He’s conned the ref, unfortunately, Salah. I don’t think it’s a foul, I really don’t.”

The BBC’s livebloggers agreed: “It’s very, very soft indeed. Mo Salah made a right Christmas meal of the slightest contact. He tucked it away very nicely.”

One viewer wrote: “Liverpool struggling at home to relegation fodder, Salah dives, ref obliges. So predictable.”