Credit: Imago / Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Harri Burton

Wed 4 March 2026 22:20, UK

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Peter Bankes was the pantomime villain as Newcastle United welcomed Manchester United to St James’ Park.

The referee had multiple contentious incidents to unravel on Wednesday, 4 March, and neither he nor VAR appeared to be confident in their decisions in a key Premier League clash.

Anthony Gordon would open the scoring from the penalty spot, just moments after Jacob Ramsey was sent off for a second bookable offence, with Casemiro equalising before the half-time whistle.

It looked for all the world that the Red Devils would kick on and win the game, but Will Osula, who nearly left Newcastle in the winter, scored the goal of his life to keep all three points at St James’ Park.

Peter Bankes should have sent Joelinton packing

In the 38th minute, Joelinton, unsurprisingly, saw his name go into the referee’s notebook. He dragged Matheus Cunha down for an obvious booking, but the Brazilian clearly disagreed.

If Bankes was blissfully unaware, one of his officials should have had a word in his ear. Joelinton, who had just received his yellow card, walked away while sarcastically applauding the referee.

That is always the most standard of cautions, and it should have ended in a red card. Speaking of red cards…

Jacob Ramsey unfairly punished in penalty controversy

As already discussed, Ramsey was shown a second yellow card in the first half.

There was no arguing over his initial booking whatsoever. In the first minute of added time, though, there was a massive decision to make.

Ramsey had gone to ground in the penalty area as Senne Lammens rushed out at his feet. Replays showed no contact as the player went down, but it seemed more like he had just lost balance.

Bankes clearly disagreed. Newcastle fans would beg to differ.

Nine minutes of added time come out of nowhere

While there were several contentious moments in the first half, both sets of supporters were baffled to see that nine minutes of added time were played.

Of course, Man United fans were okay with that decision in the end, with Casemiro popping up in the area to head home an equaliser, but it left a huge question in the air during the break.