Martin Keown suggests Steve Bruce made Newcastle mistake

Martin Keown has claimed during BBC One’s coverage of Newcastle United’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City that Steve Bruce was wrong to withdraw Miguel Almiron during the second half.

Toon fans were dreaming of a Cup upset and the chance to enter the last four of the FA Cup – but a silly mistake from Fabian Schar allowed Kevin De Bruyne to score a penalty, before Raheem Sterling made it two in style.

Dwight Gayle had an enormous chance to level the scores, with what seemed to be little more than a tap-in. However, the substitute skied the ball from six yards with Ederson surely beaten had Gayle hit the target.

Almiron was withdrawn in the 65th minute as Gayle entered the fray, and Keown suggested that Bruce was wrong to withdraw the Paraguay international – but stated the reasoning was probably to prevent injury.

“Bit surprised to see Almiron going off but Steve Bruce had an arm around his shoulder and was probably saying ‘I don’t want to risk you any longer.’ He’s one of those players who would play 24 hours if you let him,” Keown said.