Anthony Taylor's Newcastle United decisions cause anger as Jamie Carragher calls for rule change

It was a day to forget for referee Anthony Taylor as he officiated Newcastle United's 3-1 win at Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. The official was on the receiving end of criticism from both sets of fans - but especially irked the Magpies faithful during a tetchy first-half on the road.

Taylor's first mistake of the day was missing a clear Ryan Yates elbow to the head of Tino Livramento, despite having a perfect view of the early incident. Seconds later, Forest were on the attack with Morgan Gibbs-White, who drew a foul from Dan Burn in the middle of the park.

The Newcastle defender picked up a booking for the misjudged tackle, his fifth of the season which means a one-game suspension. Meanwhile, Livramento was forced off the pitch to seek treatment for a split open lip, as Forest got to take their own free-kick, in Newcastle's half, with a man advantage.

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This particularly angered Jamie Carragher, who made his feelings clear on Sky Sports commentary duty. “The way that rule has been set up at the moment, it’s something to be looked at," he moaned.

“I mean, Livramento has had a whack there, should have had a free kick. Nottingham Forest have got a free kick, Livramento can’t defend it. They are actually down to 10 men. That has to change. That’s nonsense that.”

Yates was lucky to get away with another one shortly before half-time after leaving an extremely high boot on the thigh of Sean Longstaff. Had the Newcastle man gone to ground, rather than playing on, the Forest star likely would have been penalised.

Yates made another poorly-timed challenge on Bruno Guimaraes in the second-half, again escaping any form of punishment. Finally, in the 65th minute, he was entered into Taylor's pocketbook for his fourth incident of the game.

Forest were also unhappy with Burn escaping a second booking in the second period. The centre-back steamed into a tackle on Jota as Forest countered, winning the ball but also taking the man.

Taylor blew for a foul but let Burn off without another card, which angered many of the home supporters.

“Burn is a lucky lucky boy," Kevin Nolan told the BBC mid-game. "He stopped the momentum of the counter-attack while on a yellow card. It’s a yellow by the laws of the game, he’s got that one wrong Anthony Taylor.”