Newcastle United beat Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday night, but it was a game that was not without incident. In fact, it was littered with them.
It was an incredibly fierce and heated game at St James’ Park, and one that was decided by a rather controversial goal by Anthony Gordon.
Arsenal are furious about it, so much so that they have released a statement to condemn a subjective decision and back their manager Mikel Arteta for his disgraceful post-match comments.
However, the goal was not the only major talking point coming out of Newcastle’s 1-0 win over Arsenal. There was also the first half incident involving Bruno Guimaraes, where the Brazilian really should have seen red for an off the ball challenge on Jorginho.
But the game’s first major talking point came when Kai Havertz completely wiped out Sean Longstaff on the touchline.
It was an awful tackle by the Arsenal player, who leapt off the ground before clattering into Longstaff and leaving him in a heap. The 26-year-old was lucky to avoid injury, and it could have been a really bad one had Havertz made proper contact with his leading foot.
The challenge sparked a bit of a brawl between the two teams, and ended with Newcastle getting three bookings. Yes, a tackle where Arsenal could have received a red card ended with the Magpies getting three yellows to their one…madness.
What Jamaal Lascelles said to Kai Havertz after horrible tackle
It was a tackle that massively angered Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles, who had serious words with Havertz following the incident.
During BBC Match Of The Day’s highlights of the game, commentator Guy Mowbray remarked on what Lascelles had said to the Germany international.
“Jamaal Lascelles just said to Kai Havertz, he’s just said ‘you’ve tried to do him’,” he said.
Arsenal midfielder Havertz has history with Newcastle
Havertz was very lucky not to be sent off. In real-time it looked like a red, then my second viewing made me think a very strong yellow was acceptable. But on closer inspection again, it is so dangerous, and he narrowly catches Longstaff with that leading foot.
It could have been so much worse for Longstaff, who was able to play the rest of the game.
Lascelles was rightly furious with Havertz, as this is not the first time he has been involved in an incident against the Magpies.
During Eddie Howe’s first season in charge, Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Havertz scoring the winner. But he was lucky to be on the pitch at that point, having produced a horrible elbow on Dan Burn earlier in the game. It really wasn’t pretty, and could have been a red.
He got away with it, just like he did on Saturday night. However, on this occasion it was Newcastle who ran out 1-0 winners.
Fortunately, Arsenal staff and fans have reacted in a perfectly normal and rational way…
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