Man United handed immediate penalty verdict just moments after controversial red card

Manchester United have been told the decision to award Anthony Gordon a penalty was correct, while Newcastle United midfielder Jacob Ramsey's sending off was branded "harsh." The first half at St James Park suddenly came to life in added time as the referee was forced into two huge calls.

First, Ramsey was controversially sent off for the home side just as the match entered into injury time of the first period. The Englishman hurdled a challenge from Senne Lammens and was adjudged to have dived before being given a second yellow card by referee Peter Bankes.

The home fans were furious with the call, which reduced them to ten men. Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given and former Rangers forward Ally McCoist felt the call to send Ramsey off was harsh and that the ex-Aston Villa man was not trying to deceive Peter Bankes.

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When asked about the red card, ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given said: "I think it's extremely harsh. I think because he doesn't go down when the keeper is out, he takes a step, takes a second and then just collapses. I think that's what they've seen but I think it's harsh as well."

McCoist also said: "It's an interesting one. Initially, when he goes down, I wasn't sure he was looking for it. He knocks the ball by him, I'm not sure it's a real effort to con the referee, to be honest with you.

"I know he goes to ground, but there's no way he's giving a penalty. Is he just trying to get out of the road? Is he off-balance? That's a really interesting one. Does he touch him there, and it just knocks him off balance a little bit?"

The red card proved to be the catalyst for a bonkers period of added time