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It would be fair to say one Newcastle United player got reasonably lucky on Sunday.

While Eddie Howe’s side were ultimately good value for their 2-2 draw with West Ham in the Premier League after a second-half improvement, their task could have been made an awful lot harder before the break.

Indeed, decisions throughout the contest were criticised by Sky Sports pundit Darren Ambrose, with one Newcastle star in particular causing a moment of controversy.

Surely even the most ardent Toon supporter would readily admit Bruno Guimaraes ran the risk of getting sent off.

Booked only minutes earlier, the £40m star hauled down James Ward-Prowse and was lucky to avoid a second yellow.

The fact he was then instrumental in Alexander Isak’s second goal would have only annoyed West Ham more. Such was the craziness of his decision to bring Ward-Prowse down, even Alan Shearer suggested the Brazil star should have walked.

One West Ham star, meanwhile, was not impressed.

Tomas Soucek unhappy with decision not to send Bruno Guimaraes off on Sunday

Tomas Soucek, who scored the opening goal in the draw, was left bemused by the decision.

“The first yellow card okay, but the second is obvious,” he told Match of the Day 2.

“I think it was James who went through and it was two against two. I don’t know what else should be booked.”

Lucky escape for Newcastle

It was certainly a lucky escape for Howe’s side.

Had Guimaraes been sent off, there really couldn’t have been many arguments. That, in turn, would have ruled him out of the Crystal Palace game after the break too, weakening Newcastle against a well-organised team as it is.

Soucek isn’t exactly out of line to question the decision but, thankfully, Guimaraes lives to fight another day.

Usually so composed, let’s hope that was merely a lapse in concentration.