Former Premier League referee says Newcastle United were right to complain over key VAR incident against Leeds United

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg believes Newcastle United should've been awarded a penalty kick against Leeds United.

The Whites romped to a 5-2 victory over the Magpies at Elland Road on Wednesday night as Marcelo Bielsa's men returned to winning ways in the Premier League.

Leeds secured all three points in a stunning victory for the hosts, which saw them score three goals in the final thirteen minutes of action.

Steve Bruce's outfit opened the scoring through Jeff Hendrick before Patrick Bamford levelled ahead of the half-time interval.

United went ahead on the hour mark through Rodrigo but Leeds were pegged back by a Ciaran Clark header just two minutes later in a topsy-turvy encounter in LS11.

With the game finely poised at 2-2, Newcastle saw appeals for a spot-kick turned down by match official Simon Hooper.

VAR reviewed the incident - which saw Magpies striker Callum Wilson fall under the challenge of Whites captain Liam Cooper in the box - but agreed with the on-field decision not to give a penalty.

Stuart Dallas then put Leeds back ahead before Gjanni Alioski and Jack Harrison rounded off the scoring in West Yorkshire.

Visiting boss Bruce was left aggrieved at the failure to award his side a penalty post-match, and ex-top flight referee Clattenburg echoed his thoughts after the game.

"It was certainly a key moment in the game. There was a duel between Cooper and Wilson," the former referee told Amazon Prime Sport.

"If he gets a touch on it, it would go back to the corner flag. The challenge comes in from behind and he trips him up. It should have been a penalty kick.

"This is where the VAR frustration comes up. This one I think everyone will accept it's a penalty kick.

"Liam Cooper doesn't get an actual touch on the ball and it's a clear foul. Referees need to understand football. I was surprised why the referee didn't give it originally."