What was he thinking?
Newcastle United marked their return to the Premier League with a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, and the game swung on a moment just after half-time.
Rafa Benitez’s side had managed to keep Spurs during a tight first-half at St James Park and came out for the second half hoping to cause an upset against the team that finished second last season.
Then Jonjo Shelvey decided to stand on Dele Alli.
Shelvey, for reasons only he can explain, stood on Alli’s foot as the Spurs player sat on the pitch.
Alli kicked the ball away as the Newcastle midfielder bent down to collect it. Shelvey then thread on Alli’s ankle, the referee spotted it and sent him off.
There was nothing to be gained from standing on Alli, and Shelvey’s action left his team in a tight spot, souring their first game back in the top flight.
Gary Neville called it correctly, and there was no sympathy for Shelvey on social media.
Absolutely right decision !!
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) August 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/MiguelDelaney/status/896728556885114882
How can Shelvey argue with the red card? Knew what he was doing! Trying to play innocent. Well done ref
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) August 13, 2017
Shelvey deserved a red for stupidity, let alone the offence. Ref standing right there.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 13, 2017
Complete and utter idiocy from Jonjo Shelvey.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 13, 2017
That is just pathetic Jonjo Shelvey 😡 #NEWTOT
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) August 13, 2017
