Newcastle 3-0 Fulham: Marco Silva says referee Sam Barrott could not handle the pressure

Fulham boss Marco Silva said referee Sam Barrott “didn’t have the experience to handle the pressure” in the Cottagers’ 3-0 loss to Newcastle.

But Silva was unhappy no action was taken against Jamaal Lascelles when he caught the Mexican two minutes earlier.

“It was a really strange performance from the referee from the first minute to the last minute,” said Silva.

“Lascelles cleared elbowed Raul and not even a foul. I’m not saying red card, but a clear foul. You need referees with experience and to be able to handle the pressure.”

Asked if the referee was not experienced enough, Silva said: “Clearly, no doubt.”

Barrott has worked his way up the refereeing ranks and made the step up to the EFL from the National League list of officials at the end of the 2019-20 season.

He first took charge of a Premier League match in October 2023, with this his eighth top-flight game in charge.

With no action taken for Lascelles’ challenge on Jimenez, the Fulham forward leapt in dangerously and caught Sean Longstaff in the face shortly afterwards.

Barrott initially booked Jimenez, but following a check by video assistant referee Michael Salisbury, the on-pitch referee reviewed the incident on a monitor and changed his decision from yellow card to red.

Silva accepted Jimenez’s challenge was not a good one but was unhappy with a perceived lack of consistency.

He said: “Raul has to be more calm and didn’t challenge in the right way and the ball was not there to challenge for.

“I can accept if they decide it’s a red card, but what’s difficult for me is two minutes before Lascelles’ elbow was not even [given as] a foul, not even a check.

“This is the Premier League. The Premier League should have referees who have the ability to handle the pressure and this afternoon is an example of a referee who does not have the ability and experience to handle the pressure with 50,000 people around.

“Now VAR is always looking for moments to give, I don’t know if they are trying to justify their job.”

Down to 10 men, Fulham conceded three second-half goals, with Lewis Miley, Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn scoring to take Newcastle up to sixth.

Miley, aged 17 years and 229 days, became Newcastle’s youngest scorer in the Premier League and the eighth youngest overall in the competition since the Premier League replaced the old First Division in 1992.

“I’m delighted for him,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe. “I think of his most memorable moments: the assist against Chelsea and the assist in the Champions League for Joelinton in midweek.

“Today was his moment. Did he have the composure to score a massive goal in our season in front of the Gallowgate? Yes he did.”

Miley has become a regular starter for Newcastle and played in their 2-1 loss to AC Milan on Wednesday, a result that saw Howe’s side eliminated from all European competition this season.

The teenager had been among the substitutes this time, but he came on late in the first half after Joelinton suffered a hamstring injury.

About the fact Miley was among the substitutes, Howe said: “I’m trying to protect him. His performances have been incredible, but at 17 he is playing a lot of games.

“He was then thrust back into action [following Joelinton’s injury] and he showed his maturity and professionalism and was ready to play.

“He is very popular in the dressing room, personality-wise and as a player – the players love him on the pitch.”

The win for Newcastle comes in a hectic period that is seeing them play eight games in December.

Howe felt his side showed great character to respond with a win after the disappointing loss to Milan ended the club’s first Champions League campaign in 20 years.

“After midweek, that was a difficult experience for us,” said Howe.

“The players are human beings, they feel the emotion and live in the city. You can’t get away from the highs and lows that follow, so today they did incredibly well to hold their nerve.

“Hopefully it will give us confidence for the games coming up.”