Had it not been for Mike Dean, things might have gone differently against Wolves.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side snatched all three points in the 94th minute, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
The Magpies played most of the second half with 10 men after DeAndre Yedlin was dismissed in the 57th minute.
Dean didn’t have to send Yedlin off
If the referee had booked Yedlin, no one would have batted an eyelid. The incident occurred when the American dawdled in possession and Diogo Jota pinched it. In a state of panic, Yedlin pulled the shirt of Jota, but not before the Portuguese forward could get his hands on the Newcastle defender’s jersey.
Both of them were at it, but only Yedlin was punished. And he was given the biggest possible punishment, a red card after being deemed the last man. However, you could clearly see that Jamaal Lascelles was getting across on the cover.
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It was a decision that basically cost Newcastle the game, as we had looked comfortable at 11 vs 11.
There was another key incident that the 50-year-old waved away, as Perez went down clutching his face in the box following an elbow from Willy Boly. The referee ignored it, allowing Wolves to nearly score on the break.
Initially a good game of football, Mike ‘centre of attention’ Dean put an end to that.
Newcastle fans react to referee’s performance
