HEMED BAN THREAT OVER ‘STAMP’

BRIGHTON’S match-winner Tomer Hemed could face a retrospective three-match ban after appearing to stamp on Newcastle’s DeAndre Yedlin at the end of the game. The incident was not punished by referee Andre Marriner so the Football Association will wait for his report before they consider any action. Defender Yedlin said: ‘I felt something on my calf. I didn’t see anything. I was on the ground. Whether it was accidental or not, it doesn’t matter now but I’m sure whoever is on the committee that punishes that sort of thing will figure it out.’ Hemed is Brighton’s only fully fit striker so any ban would be a huge blow. ‘It was an accident,’ he insisted. ‘Before I told him, “If you cannot jump for the ball, why push me? Try to take the ball, don’t push me”. But after that, it was by accident. If I hurt him, I am sorry.’ Brighton manager Chris Hughton defended his player, saying: ‘My impression was that there was no intent, particularly knowing the player as I do.’ Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez said he did not see the incident but complained that there was a foul in the build-up to Hemed’s 51st-minute winner. Pascal Gross swung a free-kick into the area and when Dale Stephens headed back across goal Benitez believes Bruno shoved Chancel Mbemba. ‘I’m disappointed because the goal is a clear foul,’ Benitez said. ‘We didn’t defend well, I would say that, but at the same time there is a push and the referee has a very good position. ‘It was very clear. It’s a player who is moving and pushing, it’s not a player who is standing still and blocking. Still we were not defending well so we have to be strong. I don’t disagree with that.’