At 0-0 on 18 minutes, Phil Foden found his way into the box and struck a shot which went wide.

Newcastle defender Schar had come flying across and caught the City midfielder on the left ankle with his studs, leaving him writhing in pain.

Referee Barrott, though, awarded only a goal-kick for the hosts and video assistant referee (VAR) Craig Pawson agreed with the on-field decision.

According to the Premier League’s handbook, if “contact is inevitable” between defender and attacker then “play should typically be allowed to continue”.

However, the law also states that when “contact is either reckless (yellow card) or serious foul play (red card) then a penalty kick and appropriate sanction is the expected outcome”.

On this occasion, Barrott deemed Schar’s challenge not to be reckless – but pundits were split on the decision.

“I think it’s a penalty,” former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport.

“The referee might have looked at the fact he has got his shot away before the contact, but the Schar challenge has impacted Foden’s set-up for the shot and then there’s contact. It’s a foul.”

Former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t think Schar gets the ball, but I don’t think it’s a penalty.

“I don’t think he does enough.”

Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards said on Sky Sports “there is contact” but what had saved Schar is the fact Foden had already taken his shot.

“I don’t think it is enough to overturn,” he added.