Newcastle vs Southampton turns ugly as controversial incident with Ben Brereton Diaz sparks tunnel brawl
Newcastle and Southampton players were seen brawling in the tunnel at half-time following a controversial red card for Fabian Schar.
The Magpies defender was ordered off in the first half after appearing to headbutt Southampton's Ben Brereton Diaz.
The two engaged in a heated exchange after Brereton Diaz brought down Schar while fighting for the ball.
The Newcastle star immediately got up off the ground and pushed Brereton Diaz in reaction.
Schar then pushed his head into Brereton Diaz, with the former Blackburn star instantly falling to the ground at the first sign of contact.
As Brereton Diaz clutched his head on the turf, Schar was shown a straight red card, leaving his team with 10 men and 60 minutes still to play.
Brereton Diaz also found himself in the referee's book for his initial push on Schar that started the altercation.
But the drama did not end there.
At half-time, the players clashed in the tunnel and Dan Burn and Jan Bednarek had to be separated after exchanging words and pushing.
Burn is understood to have waited to confront Brereton Diaz over his antics, before Bednarek defended his Saints teammate.
While watching the match, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer turned to X to quiz both players.
“Curse at its finest, but very stupid on Schar's part,” he wrote.
Despite being reduced to a man, Newcastle managed to go 1-0 up just before the break.
Joelinton got on the scoresheet when the Magpies man capitalised on a mistake by Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
Out of nowhere, the goalkeeper passed the ball to Alexander Isak.
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He then passed the ball to Joelinton, who fired home to sum up a dramatic afternoon in the Northeast.
