Pardew: 'Brighton Cheat Got Shola Red'

Last updated : 07 January 2013 By Footy Mad - Editor

The Nigerian forward was given the marching orders in the 62nd minute of Newcastle’s 0-2 loss to the championship side following a challenge on Moreno David Lopez.

It was the striker’s second yellow of the match which left the referee with no option but to send him off.

Pardew feels his big striker should have been given the benefit of the doubt and allowed to stay on.

Alan Pardew: “I think it was a bit of an unfair decision.

"You could see that he (the referee) took a long hard look at the situation before showing him the red card.

"Shola should have been allowed to carry on because the offence was not too severe.

“The player goes down and takes a sly look at the match official before going on to make a meal of it.

"That was very unfortunate and that may have affected the decision of the ref."