Alan Shearer has admitted he thought the decision to show Jhon Duran a red card during Newcastle’s 3-0 win against Aston Villa was “harsh”. Anthony Gordon gave his side the lead after just a few minutes with their chances of a fourth straight victory increasing after Villa were reduced to ten men.
Just after the half hour mark, Duran was involved in a race for the ball with Schar. The Switzerland international came out on top in the battle for possession which saw both players fell to the floor with Duran making contact on Schar’s back as he fell while looking for somewhere to place his feet.
Referee Anthony Taylor did not see it that way however and subsequently showed a red card to Duran for violent conduct with VAR in agreement. The Magpies took full advantage of that and scored another two goals in the second half with Alexander Isak and Joelinton also on target.
Though Eddie Howe’s side were already in front, the turning point in the game was arguably Duran’s dismissal, however Newcastle legend Shearer does not appear to believe he should have given his marching orders. “I thought it was slightly harsh,” he told BBC 5Live.
“When you’re travelling at that much speed how can you be certain that he’s got nowhere else to put his foot. Once the referee has given the red there was no way they were going to overturn it.” Newcastle will not be too bothered about controversies though as they moved up to fifth in the Premier League table, above Villa and Manchester City.
While there was a mini-brawl following the Duran challenge, the big fracas arrived at half-time in the tunnel which resulted in Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall being sent off and Villa analyst Victor Manas being sent off. Howe has now given his verdict having seen exactly what happened.
In a press conference, he said: “I don’t think it’s far off [a mass melee]. These things always start, and there was no intention of it happening the way it did.
“It was probably 17 or 18 people trying to calm it down. But it looks like there are more people involved. Nobody wants to see that. It’s not at all how I want my players or staff to be.
“But sometimes you have to stand up to what you think is right and protect each other. I am not 100% of that (what started it) because it goes over in a blur. I was right at the top of it, but I think it was frustrations spilling out from the first half.”
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