Newcastle vs Fulham ref watch: Three decisions Darren England got wrong

Newcastle beat Fulham 2-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night as they went one step closer to defending their trophy at Wembley.

Yoane Wissa put Newcastle into the lead on his first start for the club as he tapped in from close range after Benjamin Lecomte failed to deal with Jacob Murphy’s cross.

Fulham soon hit back as Sasa Lukic scored at St James’ Park for the second time this season, and the game stretched as time went on, with Newcastle looking the most likely victors.

Lewis Miley has been in fantastic form as of late, and he won it at the death for his boyhood club with a header from Sandro Tonali’s corner.

It was a tense affair that saw the home supporters get on his back throughout, and Football Insider have looked at three decisions that match referee Darren England got wrong on Wednesday night.

Fabian Schar banned for semi-final first-leg after undeserved booking

Dan Burn’s injury against Sunderland last weekend and Lewis Hall’s training issue meant that Howe only had three senior defenders to choose from for the visit of Fulham.

Schar was one of those, but he will not be available to play in their first-leg semi-final clash after being booked in the 22nd minute for a foul on Raul Jimenez.

Fulham cleared long from a Newcastle corner, and the Swiss international did pull the striker back from running towards it, but he was clearly never going to reach the ball regardless as it travelled well over the halfway line.

Referee England gave Schar a yellow for his only foul in the game, leaving the Magpies even shorter at the back, when he should have just warned him not to do it again.

Jorge Cuenca delayed the restart but was somehow not booked

St James’ Park was subdued throughout the encounter as the home fans became frustrated at the lack of attacking intent, but one particular moment caused uproar as England made the wrong call just before the hour mark.

Wissa was adjudged to have fouled Robinson as he chased a ball down in the visitors’ half, and the free-kick gave Fulham some respite as their players piled forward for a long ball.

Spanish defender Cuenca came over to the left flank to take the set-piece, but purposely ran past the ball just as he looked set to kick it forward, instead leaving it to Lecomte.

England took note of fans’ groans and called Cuenca over to warn him not to do it again, but the Cottagers centre-back simply should have been booked at that point, as per the rulebook, since he clearly delayed the restart to give his side more time to get ready.

Harry Wilson was not booked for stopping a quick Newcastle break

Harry Wilson is one of the most in-form players in the Premier League right now, but he was kept quiet on Tyneside as his four-game run of goal contributions came to an end.

The Welsh winger cut a frustrated figure as the game progressed, and very clearly should have gone into England’s book in the 85th minute for a clear foul on Jacob Ramsey.

Wilson barged into the Magpies midfielder at speed as he broke forward just past the halfway line, yet while the referee did give the hosts a free-kick, he failed to produce what should have been a nailed-on yellow card.

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