What is it going to take for Newcastle to get some fair treatment with Nick Woltemade
Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol fouls Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade is hauled down by Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol
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If anybody was in doubt that Nick Woltemade was being targeted for some of the Premier League's rough stuff - they need only have clapped their eyes on the opening seconds of off the ball action during the 2-1 win over Manchester City.
Within seconds of City kicking off the game, Josko Gvardiol made a beeline for the 6ft 6in German international and clattered him as he attempted to close down the Citizens.
With Woltemade now wise to the special interest being paid to him by opponents he was able to show the Croatia star away but it would set the tone for the match.
Gvardiol then inflicted what looked like a rugby tackle on Woltemade near the halfway line without getting booked. For Woltemade it is a continuation of the treatment he's been on the end of since the season kicked off.
It would appear that officials seem to think because he's slightly bigger than your average striker, he should be able to take a little bit more roughness! The Professional Game Match Officials Limited had vowed to crack down on shirt pulling but this is now going beyond that.
The current guidance to Premier League referees is to look for "extreme actions", such as "dragging a player to the ground in a non-footballing way". Surely Gvardiol's attempts to floor Woltemade fit into that category?
After Peter Bankes endured a nightmare on this score earlier in the season during the 2-1 win over Fulham, Newcastle can now add Yorkshire's Sam Barrott to that list.
Joelinton avoids tunnel controversy
The Brazil international was seen being marched back down the tunnel after what appeared to be a post-game spat between Pep Guardiola and Bruno Guimaraes.
Guardiola later played down the clash but team-mates and assistant coach Stephen Purches were on the scene to get a fuming Joelinton away from danger. Already on a yellow card, the Toon enforcer could easily have picked up a red after the whistle.
But United followed the advice of the officials and got Joelinton back to the dressing room early, avoiding a scene in the tunnel.
After the game, Howe said: “I’ve got no idea what happened there – the referee just advised me to get him into the tunnel."
Ton up for Eddie Howe
In a week in which Howe was inducted to the club's hall of game, and just after his fourth anniversary, the head coach made it 100 wins in all competitions as boss.
After the game Howe typically played down personal accolades and when asked if it meant something big to him to beat Guardiola for the first time he said: "No, it genuinely doesn’t. It means something to beat Manchester City for Newcastle.
"That’s the thing. My individual stuff is irrelevant, although I have to say we’ve had some painful moments over the years, really painful moments. Every defeat is painful, and I remember every single one.
"It’s nice to win, for the team, and we needed it in the Premier League. We knew the league position wasn’t good enough."