Newcastle United overcame a tricky Premier League tie on Sunday coming up against third-placed Nottingham Forest at The City Ground.
Going into the game it was a tough one to call and after Nottingham Forest took an early lead after getting away with some questionable refereeing decisions, it seemed the writing was on the wall for the Magpies.
Fortunately, a good kick up the arse from Eddie Howe at half-time set Newcastle back on track and the Magpies ended up winning the game 3-1.
It wasn't all sunshine and lollipops for Newcastle though with Anthony Gordon picking up a knock and Dan Burn collecting his fifth yellow card of the season ruling him out of the next game against West Ham.
Eddie Howe really wasn't happy about that last point. Not that he didn't believe that Burn's transgression wasn't yellow card-worthy, but more the fact that it should never have been allowed to happen.
Burn was booked just seconds after Ryan Yates elbowed Tino Livramento in the face leaving the defender on the floor while play continued. Replays showed a clear elbow but VAR checked and passed the incident, much to our surprise, and indeed Eddie Howe's as he told The Shields Gazette.
“It’s very rare you see me run to the fourth official but I thought Tino had been elbowed in the face and it was a clear free-kick, wasn’t given and Dan paid the price for that really. He feels like he has to make the foul in that moment.
“We knew we were going to lose Dan at some stage and Fabby [Fabian Schar] and Joey [Joelinton] are in the same position so I’m probably pleased we’re not losing them all at the same time. It’s a huge blow to lose Dan, he’s done very well this season.”
Fortunately, Eddie Howe has Lloyd Kelly who can step in and cover Burn in the game against West Ham.
If/when Fabian Schar picks up his suspension he's going to be harder to replace with Emil Krafth now out injured.
Howe will have plenty of cover for Joelinton - but he will still be a huge miss.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
13 | 18 | 34 |
2 |
Arsenal
|
13 | 12 | 25 |
3 |
Chelsea
|
13 | 12 | 25 |
4 |
Brighton
|
13 | 5 | 23 |
5 |
Manchester City
|
13 | 3 | 23 |
6 |
Nottingham Forest
|
13 | 3 | 22 |
7 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
13 | 14 | 20 |
8 |
Brentford
|
13 | 3 | 20 |
9 |
Manchester United
|
13 | 4 | 19 |
10 |
Fulham
|
13 | 0 | 19 |
11 |
Newcastle United
|
13 | 0 | 19 |
12 |
Aston Villa
|
13 | -3 | 19 |
13 |
Bournemouth
|
13 | 1 | 18 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
13 | -7 | 15 |
15 |
Everton
|
13 | -11 | 11 |
16 |
Leicester
|
13 | -11 | 10 |
17 |
Crystal Palace
|
13 | -7 | 9 |
18 |
Wolves
|
13 | -10 | 9 |
19 |
Ipswich
|
13 | -11 | 9 |
20 |
Southampton
|
13 | -15 | 5 |