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Newcastle and Southampton players clash in tunnel after Fabian Schar’s red card

Newcastle and Southampton players clash in the tunnel after Fabian Schar’s red card in the first half of an ill-tempered season opener.

Newcastle went on to win 1-0 over newly-promoted Southampton at St James’ Park on Saturday, but even though Joelinton netted the decisive goal, the primary focus of the match was the contentious red card shown to Fabian Schar.

It appears that players from both teams had differing opinions regarding the referee’s decision, as a scuffle broke out in the tunnel at half time.

As the teams made their way to the dressing rooms after the first half, there was a brief flare up between Newcastle’s Dan Burn and Southampton’s Jan Bednarek, pushing each other following a heated exchange of words.

While Schar was in possession of the ball near Newcastle’s penalty area, he was involved in a coming together with Bereton Diaz, resulting in Schar falling to the ground.

The Swiss defender quickly regained his balance and retaliated by pushing the Southampton forward, which led to a brief confrontation between the two players.

Subsequently, Bereton Diaz fell dramatically to the ground, clutching his face, prompting referee Craig Pawson to issue a straight red card to Schar for an alleged headbutt.

Despite being down to ten men, Newcastle managed to secure all three points with a goal from Joelinton in the 45th minute, taking advantage of a mistake made by Saints keeper Alex McCarthy.

Schar’s red card will result in a three-match suspension, causing him to miss a potentially Premier League fixture against Tottenham in September.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports:

“It was different. It wasn’t the game we wanted it to be, but with the sending off it’s how we had to make the game. We had to defend well with 10 men, defend a lot of space. It’s a big compliment to the players for how we had to win.

“I don’t think we want to see two players aggressively coming together, I think the contact is minimal and it’s a harsh red card but it’s something we’ll learn from.

“At that stage of the game, we needed something to galvanise us and in part, that did. We were free-scoring last year and we prided ourselves on that, but without the ball we had to improve and we’ve done a lot of work on our defensive shape in pre-season.

“The players regrouped mentally and produced an excellent defensive display.”

Southampton manager Russell Martin, speaking to BBC Match of the Day:

“We had 60 minutes playing against 10 men. We had enough chances to win the game, let alone draw it, but I’m so proud of the team.

“We made one mistake and we paid the price. Maybe it’s that little bit of belief [that’s missing], but I’m really proud of the team today.

“We should have scored three goals today. We brought on every attacking player we had. I don’t think we learned anything new about our players today, apart from the fact they’re new to this league.”

On the error that led to Joelinton’s goal: “It’s down to a lack of intensity – I knew that would be the narrative coming into the Premier League.”

Newcastle United: Pope, Schär, Joelinton, Gordon (Barnes 70), Isak, Hall (Kelly 70), Livramento, Murphy (Krafth 30), Burn, Longstaff, Guimarães.

Unused substitutes: Dùbravka, Trippier, Targett, Osula, Almiròn, Willock.

Goals: Joelinton (45’).

Booked: Hall.

Red cards: Schär.

Southampton: McCarthy, Sugawara (Edozie 46), Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek (Amo-Ameyaw 81), Stephens (captain), Walker-Peters (Alcaraz 81), Downes, Smallbone, Aribo (Dibling 70), Brereton Díaz (Archer 71), Armstrong.

Unused substitutes: Lumley, Taylor, Bree, Wood.

Booked: Brereton Díaz, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Edozie.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

Attendance: 52,196.

Here’s how fans reacted seeing Newcastle and Southampton players clash in a tunnel after Fabian Schar’s red card…

@mgtempa: BDB 💥 there lucky big Joe weren’t in that tunnel aswell 🫣

@icarysflew67: THAT OUR BOY BURN RIGHT THERE 🖤🤍

@NUFCLC: Look at the state of him ignoring Burn then walking up to the steps and letting another lad fight his battles for him. What a little fanny

@MarkAstle1: Go on BDB ….. first of many inconsistent referee decisions on week 1 of the premier league. Let’s see what happens on the next head to head 🙄 incompetent.

@Tinnuon: Why anyone would try to pick a fight with a Newcastle player while BDB and Joelinton are there is beyond me 🤷

@RobGow5: Fucking come on

@danny_hardy18: Some fucking boy

@Seb_ElJefe: Gotta love Dan Burns 😂 fucking tree of a lad

@TomVardy8: Give Dan Burn the Key to city for that tunnel bust up alone

@RikkiBobal:
Absolute shithousery.
Hard fought win, with 10 men for 60mins.
Big Joe has been missed. Brazil’s midfield muscle.

@Bradders4711: Dan Burn in the tunnel at half time made me pmsl 🤣 get into them son! #nufc

@GFairbairn10: Big Dan Burn still kicking off with Ben Brereton Díaz – give that guy an Oscar #NUFC

@blackwhitetoon: I like how Longstaff was trying to get there too. Fucking fair play.

@gibsons59: He’s from Blyth….

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