Newcastle United were held to a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, but the game could have been turned upside down had referee Rob Jones shown a red card.
It is a third goalless draw in three away games for the Magpies, but Sunday’s trip to the South Coast was not one fans will be desperate to watch again in a hurry.
Despite the draw, Newcastle United fans should be pleased that it was a fourth clean sheet in five games for Eddie Howe’s side, who looked solid at the back for the majority of the game.
Malick Thiaw made his first start since signing for the Magpies in August, playing around 84 minutes before being taken off for Jamaal Lascelles, who made his first competitive appearance since March 2024.
While Thiaw played well throughout the game, he was booked for handball in the 78th minute, and there were calls for him to be sent off just a couple of minutes later. Referee Rob Jones kept his cards in his pocket for the second incident, but did Mark Clattenburg agree with the decision?
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Mark Clattenburg says Malick Thiaw ‘very lucky’ to not see red vs Bournemouth
Newcastle failed to register a shot on target in the second half. Nick Woltemade was a threat on the break, but was unable to get any real chances on goal throughout.
Meanwhile, the Magpies defended well throughout the game, with Sven Botman and Dan Burn accompanying Thiaw as a centre-back trio.
While Thiaw will be pleased with his performance, Clattenburg believes the defender was very lucky not to see red in his first start.
“Malick Thiaw was very lucky not to receive a 2nd yellow card for a foul on Ryan Christie,” he told Geordie Boot Boys.
“Thiaw was rightly given a yellow card for a deliberate handball, and then, several minutes later, he brought down Christie with a tackle that stopped a promising attack by Bournemouth.
“This was a clear yellow card and should have resulted in Newcastle down to 10 players.”
When asked if referees are hesitant to give two yellow cards in quick succession, Clattenburg added: “No, if they are clear yellow cards then the referees should be strong and do their jobs correctly. This was not a difficult decision.”
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Malick Thiaw earned the right to start another game for Newcastle United soon
Howe was quick to take Thiaw off after his foul on Christie, perhaps knowing what would happen if he kept him on.
Despite his blip, it was a very positive showing from the defender, who will be pleased he kept a clean sheet at a ground that Newcastle have historically struggled with.
With Fabian Schar out for the next two games due to concussion protocol, Thiaw has a great chance to steal in and make that place in the starting XI his own. He more than earned it with his performance on Sunday.
Thiaw was brought in to be the successor for Schar at Newcastle. The Bournemouth game felt like the beginning of the transition, with the new breed coming in for the old guard.
Howe will have to wait another season to get that first win at the Vitality, but he should be more than happy with the way his side performed.
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