Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.
Emotions were expected to bubble over on Monday, 2 November, after the two sides went head-to-head in the Carabao Cup during the week.
James Tarkowski and Joelinton were amongst those involved in a flashpoint in the previous meeting, and those sparks threatened to explode again.
Brennan Johnson and Fabian Schar joined him in the referee's notebook, and more probably should have followed due to the mass confrontation.
Thierno Barry's goal made all the difference in the North East, but some fans were left talking about the referee's performance more than anything else.
Lewis Hall gets needlessly involved late on
Very few have argued against Ramsey's red card. Anyone who has is clearly looking for a reaction or genuinely doesn't know the rules of football.
Eager to get an equaliser in stoppage time, he angered multiple Everton players and fans by attempting to pick Armstrong up. Such a stupid move, and one that should have seen him cautioned.
[John Brooks, English football referee during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on April 1, 2025 / Matthias Jaissle, manager of Newcastle United, watches the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Hull City at St. James' Park in Newcastle, on September 19, 2026 / Everton Manager David Moyes during the Newcastle United v Everton Premier League match at St. James Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England on 28 February 2026
John Brooks, English football referee during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on April 1, 2025 / Matthias Jaissle, manager of Newcastle United, watches the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Hull City at St. James' Park in Newcastle, on September 19, 2026 / Everton Manager David Moyes during the Newcastle United v Everton Premier League match at St. James Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England on 28 February 2026](https://www.footballinsider247.com/everton/ex-refs-chief-jacob-ramsey-should-be-banned-for-three-games-as-newcastle-vs-everton-footage-re-analysed)
Jacob Ramsey avoids a straight red card
Ramsey was sent off for two bookable offences in quick succession, first having his name taken for a cynical foul on Hayden Hackney.
Just moments later, he was given his marching orders, but even Keith Hackett, a former PGMOL chief, was stunned at the decision.
Joelinton and Thierno Barry clash
Right before Barry's opener, he was caught up in an incident with Joelinton, who, let's be honest, is known for getting too rough on the pitch.
However, on this occasion, the referee clearly fell for the Everton striker's play-acting, throwing himself to the floor rather theatrically and buying a free-kick.