Dermot Gallagher: 'Newcastle United deserved penalty versus Manchester United'

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has admitted that Newcastle United should have been awarded a penalty against Manchester United.

During the closing stages of the first half, Chris Smalling tripped Dwight Gayle just inside of the area, but the official waved away the Magpies' appeals for a foul.

However, Gallagher has suggested that referee Craig Pawson may have been distracted by trying to decide where any infringement took place.

Gallagher told Sky Sports News: "The simple answer is yes. He didn't play the ball, and as I've said many times, it's all about the ball.

"I actually think that because where Craig is, I believe he may be assessing whether it happened inside the area or not, and because of that he loses sight of whether it is actually a foul. He completely forgets, I think."

Newcastle went on to record a 1-0 victory at St James' Park courtesy of Matt Ritchie's second-half strike.