Shay Given believes Barcelona were ‘lucky’ not to be reduced to 10 men against Newcastle United, and Mark Clattenburg has given his verdict exclusively to Geordie Boot Boys.
Though a promising performance, Newcastle United got off to a losing start in their Champions League campaign as they were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona.
Eddie Howe’s side got off to a great start, with Anthony Elanga shining down the flank as he ripped Barcelona apart with his pace.
He created golden chances for Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, but neither were taken and Newcastle would live to regret it as Marcus Rashford scored a brilliant brace to secure the three points.
Gordon did eventually find the back of the net late on, but it turned out to be just a consolation.
Newcastle can take heart from their performance, though, especially a blistering first half which ended with a bit of spice.
Barca centre-back Gerard Martin was booked for a foul on Bruno Guimaraes, and Shay Given thinks it could have been more.
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Shay Given says Barcelona were ‘very lucky’ not to go down to 10 men
Martin appeared to catch Guimaraes high with a late challenge that left the Toon captain writhing on the floor.
Speaking about the decision to only show him a yellow card, Newcastle legend Given said on TNT: “VAR had a look at it.
“I think he’s really got the studs high up his shin there, and I think we have seen red cards for less in the Champions League, especially, and I think Martin is really lucky.”
However, Mark Clattenburg disagrees.
Mark Clattenburg’s verdict on possible red cards in Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Speaking exclusively to Geordie Boot Boys, former referee and Toon fan Clattenburg believes the decision to give Martin a yellow card was the correct one, as the foul did not constitute a sending off.
He said: “My first impression was a yellow card and I have not seen anything that can justify the challenge had brutality, malice and force.
Towards the end of the first half, Dan Burn was also cautioned for a late foul on Jules Kounde, which left Barca boss Hansi Flick demanding harsher punishment.
Yet, Clattenburg believes that a yellow card was again correct as: “This also had the same criteria when Burn made a similar challenge later in the match.”
As the game got back underway in the second half, TNT Sports commentator, Darren Fletcher, said: “We’re just watching those replays and in our opinion, the Burn one is worse than the one on Bruno Guimaraes.
“It doesn’t make us popular with the Newcastle fans but that’s what we’re seeing.”
His partner Ally McCoist added: “No, but to follow that up, we don’t want either of them sent off.”
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