Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett has reignited debate over Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup win against Tottenham Hotspur, claiming Eddie Howe’s side were fortunate to finish the match with eleven men.
Newcastle’s 2-0 victory at St James’ Park was an impressive statement of intent as they marched into the quarter-finals, but controversy has continued to surround Joelinton’s late challenge on Mohammed Kudus a moment Hackett believes should have resulted in a straight red card.
Newcastle’s dominance over Spurs was clear from the outset, with Fabian Schar opening the scoring before new signing Nick Woltemade doubled the advantage.
The German forward, who arrived amid questions from Alan Shearer and others about his readiness for English football, silenced critics once again with a powerful display and another crucial goal.
His performances have quickly made him an important figure in Howe’s side, especially as the club continues to defend the Carabao Cup they won last season after beating Liverpool at Wembley.
Despite the victory and positive mood on Tyneside, the game was far from smooth. In the final minutes, substitute Joelinton became the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons.
Having only recently returned from injury, the Brazilian entered the game to provide energy in midfield but instead produced a reckless tackle that could have easily changed the outcome.
In the 86th minute, he lunged in on Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus with a high, mistimed challenge that immediately sparked a confrontation between both sets of players. Referee Chris Kavanagh showed Joelinton a yellow card, while Kudus was also booked for his reaction.
However, the aftermath of the incident has raised serious questions. After rewatching the footage, Keith Hackett described Joelinton’s challenge as “excessive” and dangerous, insisting it met all the criteria for a red card.
“When I witnessed this challenge, my immediate thought was that it’s a clear red-card challenge,” Hackett explained. “The challenge clearly had excessive force and endangered the safety of his opponent. That should be sanctioned with a red card.”
Hackett went on to note that while the referee’s decision to show a yellow card prevents any retrospective action under current FA rules, it was nonetheless a major mistake.
“Because the referee saw the incident and issued a yellow, it cannot be revisited,” he said. The comments have reignited the ongoing discussion about officiating standards in English football and whether VAR, had it been available in this competition, would have reached a different verdict.
Joelinton’s reputation as an aggressive but hardworking midfielder has often made him a polarizing figure among fans and pundits alike. His combative style has been vital for Newcastle, but this particular challenge crossed a line in the eyes of many.
Even some neutral supporters agreed that his tackle was unnecessary given how comfortably the Magpies were leading at that stage of the match.
Kudus, fortunately, escaped serious injury, though his anger on the pitch was understandable. The tackle left the Tottenham midfielder visibly shaken, and players from both sides had to be separated as tempers flared.
For Newcastle, it was a tense end to what had otherwise been a well-managed and disciplined performance.
Eddie Howe, who has handled Joelinton with great care since converting him into a midfield powerhouse, will likely have words with his player behind closed doors.
While Howe will be relieved the Brazilian avoided a suspension, such incidents could easily have more damaging consequences in future matches.
With Newcastle now set to face Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on December 16th, Joelinton remains available for selection.
That decision, however, may continue to spark debate over consistency in officiating, particularly in high-stakes cup fixtures.
For now, the focus on Tyneside will be on maintaining momentum in what is shaping up to be another memorable campaign. Yet the lingering controversy from that Tottenham clash serves as a reminder that even in victory, Newcastle’s fiery spirit must be balanced with discipline something Howe will no doubt emphasize as his team chases further silverware.
