Dermot Gallagher shares whether Joelinton should’ve been sent off for Newcastle vs Bournemouth

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Newcastle United were on the end of some very favourable refereeing decisions during their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.

It looked as though Newcastle United would taste defeat against the Cherries when Dango Ouattara rose high to head home an injury-time winner, but VAR intervened and controversially disallowed the goal for handball.

Eddie Howe said the disallowed winner was a “surprise” and admitted that his players weren’t appealing for the handball before VAR’s intervention.

There was another controversial decision earlier in the match when referee David Coote gave Joelinton a yellow card after he raised his arm to stop goalkeeper Neto from launching a counter-attack.

The incident was sent to VAR because Joelinton’s arm was raised, but the final decision was a yellow card.

Dermot Gallagher gives verdict on Joelinton red card claim

Joelinton escaped the incident with a booking, but it turned out to be a controversial decision.

It featured on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, where former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher gave his verdict on the challenge.

“I think in no way shape or form is this a red card. If you look at it, his intention is purely to delay the goalkeeper [Neto] from getting that ball up the pitch on the counter-attack,” Gallagher said.

“It looks worse because the goalkeeper is moving but if you look carefully, he grabs the goalkeeper by the chest – not the throat or the face.

“He’s breaking up a promising attack – it doesn’t mean he is covering for defenders. His sole purpose is to stop the goalkeeper releasing the ball.

“It is reckless and unsporting.”

A contradictory opinion

Gallagher starts his explanation by stating that Joelinton’s challenge is “in no way shape or form” a red card, but ends by calling it “reckless”.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but a reckless challenge is usually one that is deserving of a red card.

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Ultimately, it seems Newcastle were not only lucky to avoid defeat, but lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch against Bournemouth.

Joelinton was praised by Shearer for his performance against Southampton on the opening weekend, but he was very fortunate that he didn’t follow it up with a disastrous sending-off.