Newcastle United star stormed down the tunnel after post-match Man City incident - Eddie Howe explains why
Joelinton had to be reprimanded by the referee and Eddie Howe following Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.
Newcastle United got things back on track in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Manchester City at St James’ Park.
After a first half of missed chances, Newcastle took the lead through Harvey Barnes before Ruben Dias equalised for Manchester City minutes later. The Magpies restored their lead through Barnes again with his close range effort subject to a lengthy VAR check before finally being given.
The Premier League Match Centre explained the decision with a short statement: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with both [Bruno] Guimarães and Barnes in onside positions in the build-up. The VAR also checked and confirmed the referee's call of no foul on [Gianluigi] Donnarumma prior to the goal.”
Donnarumma was booked by referee Sam Barrott following the goal. Things then became heated following the full-time whistle as Bruno Guimaraes and Man City boss Pep Guardiola appeared to be arguing while Joelinton clashed with the City goalkeeper and head coach.
Joelinton ordered down the tunnel at full-time
Following the incident at the end of the match, Joelinton had a quick word with the referee and Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe before marching straight down the tunnel.
Meanwhile, the rest of Newcastle’s players, coaches and substitutes did a lap of honour on the St James’ Park pitch to celebrate a hard-earned and rare three points against City.
Asked about the incident that led to Joelinton heading down the tunnel, Howe said: “I've got no idea what happened there. It was just the referee who advised me to get him in the tunnel.”
The Brazilian was already on a booking and the referee is still able to book or send players off after the full-time whistle. But on this occasion, the referee appeared to keep his cards in his pocket as Joelinton left the field before the situation escalated any further.
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Pep Guardiola on post-match incident
Man City boss Guardiola was keen to play things down after the game as well.
“No, nothing, everything is fine,” he said. “I asked what happened with Gigi and him and everything is fine.”
Guiardiola said: “Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had. It was an entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn't win.”
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Joelinton under threat of a ban
Joelinton will now have to keep his discipline in check in Newcastle’s upcoming matches having picked up his third Premier League booking of the season against Man City on Saturday. The Brazilian will now have to go Newcastle’s next seven league matches without picking up a further two bookings in order to avoid a one-match ban.
The midfielder is under more threat of a ban in the Champions League having picked up two bookings already in Newcastle’s opening four matches in the competition this season.