Newcastle’s Jacob Ramsey was sent off after being given a second yellow card for simulation in a hugely controversial moment in their clash with Manchester United.
Ramsey had already been booked for pulling back Casemiro when he rounded goalkeeper Senne Lammens in first-half stoppage time.
It is unclear if there was any contact between the Newcastle midfielder and Lammens, with replays proving inconclusive, before Ramsey went to ground.
Referee Peter Bankes took a moment to think and sent Ramsey off, much to the fury of the majority of fans inside St James’ Park.
Newcastle went ahead shortly after when Anthony Gordon converted a penalty given for a foul against Bruno Fernandes, but United equalised on the stroke of half-time through Casemiro’s header.
It capped a thrilling ending to a chaotic first half, which also saw Joelinton avoid a red card despite appearing to sarcastically applaud Bankes when he had already been booked.
Jacob Ramsey was sent off after being given a second yellow card for simulation
There were also clashes involving Harry Maguire and Gordon, and Dan Burn and Luke Shaw, in a feisty opening 45 minutes.
Tensions between the players appeared to spill over as they left the pitch at half-time as Fernandes and Joelinton exchanged words.
Michael Carrick’s side came in to the game knowing a victory would strengthen their bid for a Champions League place after Liverpool’s defeat at Wolves on Tuesday.
Carrick has won six of his seven games in charge to guide United to third, ahead of Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool.
