Newcastle ace clashes with Fernandes and leaves Gordon ‘disgusted’ | Football | Sport

Joga bonito, flair and trickery are so often the Brazilian way when it comes to football. Light feet and loose hips flow from the samba-influenced nation’s stars, but Newcastle United star Joelinton presents something different altogether.

The combative midfield star is instead a physical specimen who prefers to tread the line between strong tackle and sending off rather than making an opponent look foolish by nudging the ball through their legs. Of course, the player the Magpies signed as a striker still has a silky touch, and despite being far from a traditional Selecao player, he makes sure he is always involved.

Alongside Sandro Tonali and Jacob Ramsey, Joelinton produced a strong midfield performance where the trio looked set to dominate the opposition. But his more memorable moments in the first half were perhaps not exactly what the Magpies had in mind.

Joelinton blazed over the bar when Anthony Gordon was in a good position to hand Newcastle the lead against Michael Carrick’s side. Ally McCoist rightly claimed that his team-mate was ‘disgusted’ with his choice, such was the size of the opportunity.

Fireworks were soon to follow as Joelinton picked up his customary yellow card for tugging Casermio’s shirt, and he threatened to stray over the line. A sarcastic applause in the referee’s direction followed, and if it wasn’t for Sandro Tonali pulling him away, another card could have soon followed.

The drama didn’t end there as Joelinton got into it with Bruno Fernandes on the way off the pitch at the break. Things got fiery as they headed down the tunnel after two goals and a red card during stoppage time.

With Ramsey sent off after a second yellow card for diving, Joelinton was forced into a professional second-half performance alongside Tonali, and 10-man Newcastle delivered. Ever a driving force in the centre of the field, the 29-year-old helped the home side remain a competitive force against a Red Devils side who had not tasted defeat under Carrick.

While there was a scary moment in which Joelinton risked giving away a penalty on Bryan Mbeumo, the Magpies found victory through an impressive strike from Will Osula. Few roars will have been as loud as Joelinton’s come the full-time whistle.

Joelinton ultimately produced a monstrous performance in the centre of the field. Anyone associated with United may be left questioning why he was still on the pitch following his first-half applause. Nevertheless, he was sure to receive plenty from a rapturous Geordie crowd.

Joelinton may not be a bad place to start.