Why West Ham were not awarded a penalty against Newcastle United after Jeff Hendrick 'handball'

The Hammers were convinced it should have been a penalty

Dermot Gallagher has backed the decision not to give West Ham a penalty against Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Magpies began their season with a convincing 2-0 win away at the Hammers but it could have been another story when Sebastien Haller's cross was blocked by Jeff Hendrick's arm.

It prompted penalty appeals from the Hammers for handball but referee Stuart Attwell was unmoved.

VAR subsequently backed Attwell's decision but Hammers boss David Moyes was critical of the referee post-match.

He said: "I didn't particularly think it was officiated well tonight but that's not the reason we lost."

Yet former Premier League referee Gallagher agreed with Attwell's decision.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch, Gallagher said that Hendrick's arm was not extended but at his side.

That meant, Gallagher explained, it was a case of ball-to-hand rather than handball and gave the Magpies no advantage.

He said: "This is a classic example of where his arm is not extended. It hits him at speed but his arm is down by his side, he's got nowhere to go and gained no advantage.

"Quite rightly the referee played on and the VAR agreed."

Goals from Callum Wilson and Hendrick gave the Magpies victory.

Newcastle take on Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup on Tuesday before Premier League matches against Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur.