You can only ask for consistency from referees.
Newcastle fans are furious over Craig Pawson’s decisions in their game against Cardiff this afternoon.
And to be fair, they have a point.
After a summer of carnival football at the World Cup, Neil Warnock reminded us just what real football is about.
Newcastle joined in as both sides spent 90 minutes kicking seven bells out of each other without ever getting near the goal.
A wretched, brutal game, missing quality but full of grit – welcome to the Premier League.
But just after the hour mark referee Craig Pawson decided he had seen enough and sent off half-time substitute Isaac Hayden for this challenge:
We can all agree a reckless tackle from behind is very dangerous and deserves a red card.
However, just minutes later Cardiff’s Harry Arter was robbed of the ball and lashed out with far more force.
Joselu nipped away with the ball and Arter proceeded to retaliate with a naughty kick to the knee, nowhere near the ball and made from behind.
Pawson was looking directly at the event but decided Arter’s ‘challenge’ was only worth a yellow card.
Cue rage from Newcastle fans.
Then Kenedy, who was having the worst game of his life, saw his penalty saved and spoilt the Toon Army’s afternoon completely.
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