BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after win over Southamptonn | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s win over Southampton. United having to play with 10 men for most of the match when cheating by Ben Brereton Diaz got Fabian Schar sent off.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion though, the politics totally absent.

Instead, a certain incident dominating the debate…

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Brentford fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘Agree or disagree with the sending off, we can all agree it was simulation and Diaz should be held to account for it.’

‘Outright cheating by Diaz which spoiled the game.

I hope Southampton players hold him to account, his theatrics inspired Newcastle to the win, with the home crowd making the difference.

There will be comments on here about how Southampton deserved something which, had it stayed 11 a side maybe so.

Hope the FA take a really good look at this incident and rescind the red and punish Diaz properly.’

‘Southampton may have lost but you can’t deny their players gave it everything, especially Ben Brereton Diaz, who sacrificed his dignity for the cause.’

‘A fair result given the pathetic reaction of Breteton Dias. Quite simply cheating!’

‘Well done on the win but try not to act as if Newcastle didn’t run the clock down with cheating/gamesmanship too.’

‘You’ve just created a whole new level of stupidity.’

‘Is Pope feigning injury to stop the game not cheating then!? Let’s just be honest about it, both teams were guilty.’

‘Sorry to rain on your parade but pope injured his ankle taking a goal kick and carried on limping even after the final whistle.’

‘yes, Newcastle were terrible, should be kicked out of the league for their wasting time.’

‘Go back to your video games. You’ve never played Sunday morning football if you think that’s a headbutt.’

‘I think if I was a ref I would make everyone stand in a big circle around Dias and just stare at him until he gets up.’

‘Thoughts and prayers for Brereton

Must have been an epic belch from Schar to take him down like that.’

‘You can forgive the ref for seeing the “red card” in real time and potentially not having a clear view, but what on Earth is VAR doing? Send Diaz off, one yellow for the blatant late foul on Schar, another for simulation.’

‘All this talk about VAR and players still take a dive to get players sent off, are VAR now running scared of actually making decisions?’

‘when you see the replay it was he who made a connection with Schar first.’

‘A lot of vitriol from the Newcastle support here despite the fact they won. Agree that Dias made a meal of it and I bet most Southampton fans would agree once the dust has settled.’

‘you could see the way things were going when Harwood-Bellis professionally blocked Gordon early doors…no foul…it’s disheartening for attacking players…Soton were doing that all game…’

‘Same old same old. Saints went down because they had the worst keeper in the league and strikers who were Championship standard. I see nothing has changed…’

‘The fairest outcome would have been for both players to be sent off. Schar shouldn’t have reacted. And Dias should have gone for blatant disgraceful cheating. I hope other players have now earmarked him for some extra special treatment in future games.’

‘A well deserved win for Newcastle. Southampton have no cutting edge. Down by the end of February I reckon.’

‘Southampton mgr doing a burnley. Insisting on playing from the back in every game is silly. Just gets you relegated. Pick and choose tactics depending on opposition.’

‘Going to be a long season for saints. Can’t get a goal against 10 men, little threat despite all the possession. Relegation beckons.’

‘What was Schar thinking? Good grief

Provoked and reacted, daft thing to do for a pro footballer.

He should have just smiled and not let it get to him. I am amazed how these professional players with all of their skill do not have the mental nounce to keep it all together in their mind and out smart their opponents. Its a mind game

Then chinned the guy down in the tunnel after the game.’

‘Exactly the same issue as always with Saints. Quite why we are flogging the dead horse of Armstrong up front is beyond me. He wasn’t good enough for Newcastle and you can see why. He isn’t quite Prem level, so nearly but not quite. Didn’t score enough 2 years ago and won’t this season either. Hopefully Archer is more potent.’

‘Never a sending off. Both moved heads. What a cheat.’

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – Saturday 17 August 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Schar red card 28, Joelinton 45

Southampton:

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Newcastle 22% (27%) Southampton 78% (73%)

Total shots were Newcastle 3 (3) Southampton 19 (4)

Shots on target were Newcastle 1 (1) Southampton 5 (1)

Corners were Newcastle 3 (3) Southampton 12 (1)

Touches in the box Newcastle 16 (11) Southampton 48 (8)

Pope, Livramento, Schar (Krafth 28), Burn, Hall (Kelly 70), Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; J Murphy (Krafth 30), Isak, Gordon (Barnes 70)

Subs:

Dubravka, Trippier, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Willock

Attendance: 52,196

(Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – An absolutely magnificent effort and win by 10 man Newcastle United – Read it HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read it HERE)

Newcastle United schedule to end of October 2024:

Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 – Carabao Cup round two matches will be played

Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5pm) Sky Sports