Newcastle United edged to a victory over Southampton on Saturday.
Though a slender victory at home against a newly promoted Premier League club would not exactly be cause for celebration at Newcastle in usual circumstances, the context of the game is hugely important.
Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side were reduced to ten men in the first-half following a red card for Fabian Schar, who had been involved in an altercation with Saints striker Ben Brereton Diaz.
The Swiss did move his forehead towards Diaz’s face and obviously gave referee Craig Pawson a decision to make but the decision to actually dismiss him for that was labelled as “soft” by former high-profile referee, Mike Dean.
Schar was reckless to have got involved to such an extent but the reaction from Diaz surely made the situation look worse.
Still, giving the referee any cause to produce a red card is the Newcastle defender’s fault and no one else’s, even if the decision looked a little harsh.
After the game, Saints boss Russell Martin delivered his thoughts.
Russell Martin responds to Fabian Schar’s red card in Newcastle vs Southampton
Asked about the situation after the game, Martin said (via The Shields Gazette): “I just got asked there if Ben made a meal of it and all that stuff. He stands still and the guy leads with his head. You give someone an opportunity to make the most of it. I guarantee their players would have done the same.
“It’s a moment of madness from their player. And it’s the reason we have VAR, I’m pretty sure, is to overturn decisions if they’re wrong. They’ve seen it back on numerous occasions in slow motion and that stuff. So it has to be a red card, I guess.”
Newcastle needed players to step up
Martin is right, Schar did not need to react to a shove in the back in such way – but that doesn’t necessarily mean a red card was justified.
Still, luckily for Newcastle, the incident did not end up defining the game.
They stuck to their defensive tasks diligently and took their goal well when it presented itself. Perhaps questions need to be asked about the manner in which they started the game but the red card appeared to lift the energy somewhat, helping create something of a siege mentality.
The debate about the sending off will likely rage on for a while. Luckily for Newcastle, at least it will be off the back of a victory.
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