Brighton now says £21m Everton player should be ‘added’ as they progress to the next stage
But the reaction from the St James’ Park crowd had nothing to do with the Newcastle United players’ performance, nor was it because the Magpies had dropped points at a crucial stage of the season.
Instead, Toon fans were furious because of the performance from Darren England.
He was the referee for Newcastle United’s final home game of the season, and felt the wrath of the home crowd throughout the 90 minutes. He let Brighton get away with their timewasting tactics throughout the game, while there is no way he added on enough stoppage time – the game should have gone on for at least another minute before he blew the final whistle!
England also snubbed a Newcastle penalty appeal late on, as Anthony Gordon went down in the box. In truth, it probably was not a penalty, but it was another decision that irked a home crowd that felt it was being let down by the officials.
However, there were two decisions that Darren England got spot on, and they were highlighted on BBC’s Match Of The Day on Saturday night.
In the second half, he booked Julio Enciso for diving, as he hit the deck following the lightest coming together with Emil Krafth. England saw it as simulation, and dished out a yellow card.
He then gave Miguel Almiron the same punishment, as he tried to con the referee himself. The £21milllion man’s dive was even more dramatic, and resulted in him becoming the second Paraguayan to get booked.
It was an embarrassing dive that infuriated Alan Shearer on Saturday night, and now BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has given his verdict.
As part of his BBC Sport team of the week, Crooks has given an honourable mention to the referee on Saturday, whilst unsurprisingly not picking any Newcastle or Brighton players.
“Outstanding refereeing by Darren England who gave two yellow cards to players who dived in order to gain an advantage during Newcastle’s draw with Brighton,” he wrote.
“Brighton’s Julio Enciso and Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron ought to be ashamed of themselves.”
It is pretty scathing from Crooks, but it certainly was a shameful dive from Almiron. There was no need for him to throw himself to the ground – he was in a decent position and had beaten his man.
It was one of two decisive moments Almiron was involved in late on. He also set up Anthony Gordon for what Toon fans thought was the winner, only for the 30-year-old to be flagged offside. It was clear that Almiron had needlessly gone too early, and that blunder meant that Newcastle’s ‘winner’ was ruled out.
It was a really disappointing cameo from Almiron, on what could be his last ever St James’ Park appearance. Geordie Boot Boys have been told that he will likely leave the club this summer, and his efforts against Brighton are not a good way to go out in front of the Geordie faithful if it really is the end.
