Eddie Howe’s verdict on Joelinton red card as Newcastle United and Benfica dugouts clash

Eddie Howe was left unimpressed by referee Nuno Almeida’s decision to send off Joelinton against Benfica.

The Brazilian was shown a red card via a second bookable offence with a quarter of an hour remaining at the Estadio da Luz.

In fairness, it was a late challenge on Florentino Luis and tempers soon flared between the two dugouts when Joelinton made his way down the tunnel.

The scoreline was level at 2-2 before the Portuguese side made their extra man advantage count in the 89th-minute through Henrique Araujo.

Although it was a pre-season friendly, it meant Howe’s side missed out on lifting the Eusebio Cup.

“I’m disappointed, to be honest,” Howe admitted when asked about the red card. “For me, in pre-season friendlies, the last thing I want to see is a red card for either team unless there is a tackle that is really out of the spirit of the game. I don’t think Joelinton’s tackles were.

“The second one was late and he acknowledged that and stayed to try and look after the lad.

“It spoiled the last 10-15 minutes but it was a good test for us as well.

“We weren’t quite good enough to see the game out, which is disappointing from our perspective.”

Miguel Almiron twice equalised for Newcastle - taking his pre-season goal tally up to six - in the first half after linking up with Kieran Trippier on both occasions.

“It was a really good performance tonight,” Howe said. “It very much had a Premier League game feel about it. It was just what we needed at this stage of our preparations for the new season.

“Both halves had some really good bits in it, and there is stuff we can improve on, but overall, I thought the players’ attitude and spirit was brilliant.”