Newcastle United vs. Nottingham Forest: The match officials for this Saturday’s Premier League game at the City Ground have been announced.
The officials for Saturday’s Premier League encounter between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at the City Ground, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m., have been confirmed.
The game in Nottingham will be officiated by Anthony Taylor as Newcastle looks to win on the road for the fourth time in as many tournaments. This season, Taylor has refereed two Newcastle games; in each, there have been contentious penalty calls.
In the 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Taylor gave Newcastle a penalty kick after it was determined that Hwang Hee-chan had fouled Fabian Schar inside the box. Although Callum Wilson scored the penalty, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil criticized the “abysmal” call made after the game.
That same month, Taylor oversaw Newcastle’s 4-2 loss to Liverpool away from home. The referee’s choice to give Jurgen Klopp’s team a penalty when Diogo Jota went down within the penalty area drew criticism, even though The Magpies were brutally defeated at Anfield. On social media, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer both criticized the choice. The former Arsenal player said on X, “I’d rather fall down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Observed everything!”
Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, thought Jota went down “far too easily” and that there wasn’t much contact.
Darren Bond will serve as the fourth official, with Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn, and Taylor providing support. Tony Harrington, with help from Darren Cann, will serve as the match’s VAR.
After losing to Forest 3-1 at St. James’ Park on Boxing Day, Newcastle will visit the City Ground after drawing 4–4 at home against Luton Town the previous weekend.
