Souness' furious rant over "doomed" Premier League after Newcastle controversy

Sky pundit Graeme Souness launched into a sensational tirade during Leicester's commanding 4-0 win over Newcastle - insisting the Premier League was "doomed" after James Maddison won a controversial penalty.

Maddison was involved in most of the game's key moments, grabbing two assists before netting Leicester's fourth and final goal in the final minutes of the match.

But the decision to award Leicester a soft first half penalty after Maddison tangled with Jamal Lascelles left Souness irate.

And the former Liverpool and Newcastle boss raged that the England midfielder actually kicked himself to win the spot-kick.

"If we're giving penalties for that we're doomed," Souness ranted after the match.

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"Maddison actually kicks himself. He gets himself in the air and runs into (Newcastle defender Jamaal) Lascelles."

Souness' comments come on a weekend where a staggering SEVEN penalties have been awarded across the Premier League - the most in any one matchday since the 2003/04 campaign.

The Premier League title race was right at the heart of the drama as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were all awarded spot-kicks in their respective fixtures 24 hours before the decision that left Souness beside himself.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was also critical of the decision to award Leicester a penalty. The scores were level before Youri Tielemans' converted from 12-yards.

"The penalty has a huge bearing on the game, it wasn't a penalty," said the Magpies boss.

"Maddison goes over with the smallest of contact and I am disappointed the referee didn't go over to the (VAR) monitor to watch a replay.

"At 0-0, the game was very much on for us to go and win but the penalty changed the game. I would encourage referees to go and see it back themselves rather than take direction from other people.

"I won't comment on Maddison - that wouldn't be right - but we are so disappointed with how the goal came about. If it's not a penalty, it shouldn't be given."

Newcastle's drubbing at the King Power Stadium leaves them slumped in the relegation zone.

The Magpies remain three points behind 17th-placed Watford after failing to make the most of the Hornets' late 2-1 loss at Brentford on Friday night.

Newcastle also have a vastly inferior goal difference compared to Watford - and it's likely that will only get worse given their upcoming fixtures.

Newcastle's next three games are against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United, meaning it's very likely that the wealthiest club in the world will spend Christmas marooned in the Premier League dropzone.