Newcastle United and Southampton played out an explosive start to their Premier League campaigns in the first half at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon. And tensions spilled over inside the tunnel during the break during a bad-tempered exchange between defensive counterparts Dan Burn and Jan Bednarek.
Newcastle entered half-time with a 1-0 lead after Alexander Isak and Joelinton combined to produce a late opener on Tyneside.
But Eddie Howe’s side left themselves with a tough task on the opening weekend after Fabian Schar saw red just before the half-hour mark.
Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz barged over Schar from behind, and the Swiss defender couldn’t contain his reaction.
He nudged his head towards Brereton Diaz in anger, and the 25-year-old dropped to the turf, much to the outrage of the home crowd.
Referee Craig Pawson had no choice but to send Schar for an early shower for his violent conduct, while the Saints frontman received a yellow card for his initial foul.
Newcastle replaced Jacob Murphy for Emil Krafth in response to Schar’s dismissal, setting up in a 4-3-2 formation.
The St. James’ Park crowd made their frustration known for the remainder of the first half, booing Brereton Diaz every time he inherited possession of the ball.
Frustration was apparent on the pitch, too. Burn took a heavy touch as he carried the ball towards the right side of the pitch before chopping down Joe Aribo after he nicked it off him.
And Burn was at the centre of further ugly scenes after Pawson blew the half-time whistle, clashing with Bednarek in the St. James’ Park tunnel.
In footage shown during Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday show, the 32-year-old appeared to be handing Brereton Diaz a piece of his mind.
Bednarek then seemingly took issue with what Burn was saying, turning around and angrily addressing the Magpies star.
Burn reacted by shoving Bednarek before the pair had to be separated by players and staff nearby in the claustrophobic corridor.
Joelinton gave Newcastle the lead shortly before the break after Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy presented the hosts with a gift.
His wayward pass fell to Isak, and he squared a ball across the box to his Brazilian teammate, who produced a simple finish into the bottom left corner.
Southampton boasted 72 per cent of the possession in the first half, though, and Russell Martin’s visitors will have re-emerged from the tunnel with the belief they could make their Premier League return memorable.
