Shelvey apologises to his mates over red card

LONDON: Newcastle captain Jonjo Shelvey apologised to his teammates after his red card for a stamp on Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli left them with 10 men for almost all the second half in the 2-0 English Premier League defeat at St James’ Park.

“Jonjo apologised to the team after the game,” said manager Benitez.

TV replays showed Shelvey deliberately trod on Alli’s ankle in full view of referee Andre Marriner after the Tottenham player failed to give him the ball.

The referee immediately gave the midfielder a straight red card.

Shelvey will now serve an automatic three-match ban, missing games against Huddersfield, West Ham and Swansea as Newcastle seek to re-establish themselves in England’s top tier after promotion.

Shelvey’s moment of madness changed the course of the game with Newcastle still level.

It appeared even more ill-advised because Newcastle had already lost two players injured in a hectic first half hour. The incident happened in the 48th minute after Alli had been fouled by Isaac Hayden.

Shelvey went to get the ball from Alli and, apparently annoyed when the Spurs midfielder knocked it away, stepped on Alli’s ankle.

Benitez admitted Shelvey’s red card changed the match but said the stamp was not as dangerous as a Harry Kane tackle on Florian Lejeune, for which he was booked.

“It was difficult from the beginning. We had to adapt things (after injuries). The red card changed everything. I think we were defending well. We have to improve. We had our chances but we missed them,” Benitez said.