With the international break now finally over, Newcastle United are back in Premier League action this weekend – and the match officials have been selected.
Chris Kavanagh has been confirmed as the referee for Saturday’s clash against Wolves.
Kavanagh has taken charge of three Premier League games so far this season, brandishing eight yellow cards but has yet to dish out a red. This will be his first match officiating United this season.
Kavanagh, from Greater Manchester, refereed three of Newcastle’s Premier League games last season, the 2-1 away win at Saturday’s opponents, Wolves, the 2-1 home defeat to Fulham and the 4-1 home win against Man United. He was also the ref who awarded United a penalty, before VAR controversially overturned it, in the 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal back in May 2023.
Saturday’s match will be Kavanagh’s 168th in his Premier League career. The experienced official gave out an average per game of 4.8 cards and blew for an average of 21.4 fouls in the Premier League last season.
He will be assisted by Dan Cook and Ian Hussin at St James’ Park, with Anthony Backhouse as the Fourth official. At Stockley Park, Tim Wood will be operating VAR, while Wade Smith will be on AVAR.
Kavanagh feeling the Portuguese heat
Wolves’ Portuguese boss, Vitor Pereira, may not be delighted to see Kavanagh in the middle at St James’ on Saturday.
The official, who also referees in European competitions, was on VAR as Wolves went down to 10 men in their 1-0 loss at Bournemouth in August. Kavanagh sent the referee, Tom Bramall, to the screen to send off Wolves defender Toti, after he was judged to have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
The Portuguese international will return from his suspension this weekend.
Recently, the 40-year-old official has irked Bruno Fernandes after accidentally bumping into the Portuguese midfielder as he was preparing to take a penalty (that he missed), against Fulham in August. Fernandes complained to Sky Sports: “It upset me because the referee didn’t apologise and that was what triggered me in the moment.”
Kavanagh was also the topic of discussion that day after not disallowing Man United’s goal, despite a clear push in the back of Fulham defender Calvin Bassey. Fulham’s Portuguese boss Marco Silva told Sky Sports he could: “not understand it.”
Meanwhile, Bassey added to Sky Sports: “It’s a foul. He pushed me to stop me from getting to the ball. When the ref looks back on it, he will be disappointed. I can’t say too much before I get a fine!”
However, Kavanagh’s last outing before the International break, Liverpool’s win over Arsenal, was described on X by @refsupportuk as: “A top class performance.”
