Alan Shearer admitted that Bruno Guimaraes was “fortunate” not to be sent off in Newcastle United’s 2-2 draw with West Ham.
On Sunday (8 October), the Hammers got a point in a back-and-forth match at the London Stadium, but the flashpoint concerned the Magpies’ Brazilian midfielder Bruno.
He was booked for a trip on Emerson Palmieri and then escaped punishment for a rough challenge on James Ward-Prowse not long after.
Newcastle legend Shearer admitted on Match of the Day 2 (8 October, iPlayer 53:05) that the Magpies should have been reduced to ten men.
“Just for clarity and just to say there’s no bias, I thought it should have been a red card,” he was quoted as saying.
“I thought two yellow cards should have been issued.” Bruno didn’t agree with this one, but he does stick his leg out there, and it’s rightfully a yellow card, then 90 seconds later you get the second tackle, and it’s a horrible ball from (Sandro) Tonali there, and he’s lucky.
“On another day, I think the correct decision would have been a yellow card or a red card so Newcastle got away with one there.”
Could have influenced the outcome
In the end, a point for West Ham against a team that had just thrashed Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League is arguably not the worst outcome, especially in isolation.
But Newcastle were not at all competitive in the first half, and had Bruno been sent off – as he really should have been – it could have completely changed the complexion of this game.
No one wants to hear about the refs week in and week out; we all want to hear about the action on the field. However, when people fail to make as simple selections as this one, it may be really frustrating.
Bruno admitted that he should not have been arrested for his attack on Emerson, but it was a blatant and intentional conduct. The second is an even more evident precaution. He should have had a bath earlier, there’s no doubt about it.
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