During last night’s Match of the Day, Danny Murphy has got fans talking after suggesting that Jonjo Shelvey shouldn’t have been sent off as it was a ‘genuine attempt to win the ball’ and the referee has got ‘no common sense’ to send him off seconds before the final whistle – and Alan Shearer strongly disagrees.
Shearer’s not the only one either, with several football fans tuning into MOTD sharing their disbelief at Murphy’s comments in defence of Shelvey.
For me it was a careless challenge. Yes he has to try and make it given we were chasing the game and for that he is a tad unfortunate, but Shelvey isn’t a clean tackler and could and should have been cleverer when all things are considered?
Stupid from Shelvey or does he have to go for that? #NUFC pic.twitter.com/jKLFyuZVEJ
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) December 14, 2017
Here’s the pairs exchange on Match of the Day last night:
Danny Murphy: “I don’t think it should be a red card (for Shelvey).
“That (the first one) is a yellow because he (Shelvey) is running back and trying to stop a breakaway. Lennon is too quick for him.
“Less than 60 seconds before the end and a genuine attempt to win the ball, the lad has rolled over 17 times.
“The referee has got no common sense – 45 seconds later he blows the final whistle.”
Alan Shearer: “I would beg to differ on that because is there is a minute left, there would be uproar if a referee fails to send him off and then he gets up and scores the equaliser.”
Danny Murphy: “It is a genuine attempt for the ball and no malice, nowhere near the goal.
“He (Jonjo Shelvey) is unlucky, and Newcastle were unlucky, even though Alan was fuming.
“Newcastle hit the woodwork twice and played ok.”
Alan Shearer: “He is on a yellow card…whether the last minute of half an hour to go, you still can’t go in for a tackle like that.”
Fair to say quite a few football fans tuning in (and plenty Everton fans) did not agree with Murphy one but:
Danny Murphy thinks Jonjoe Shelvey shouldn’t have been sent off as there was only a few minutes left to play in the match. ?
— Tony Scott (@Tony_Scott11) December 13, 2017
Danny Murphy…MOTD. laughable comments on Shelvey tackle. No malice?. Player was nearly in the stands.
— Garvo (@kiltimaghlad) December 13, 2017
Ironic that Alan Shearer, the greatest player to pull on a Newcastle shirt can maintain his impartiality when judging the foul and sending off of Shelvey yet Danny Murphy, a no-mark Red jibbed by them as not good enough continually sticks the boot into us.Needs to talk to Mr Lee.
— Dogs of War (@Bluenose69) December 14, 2017
Danny Murphy on #motd saying Shelvey wasn’t a 2nd yellow? Because it was in injury time??
Eh?
He smashed him #nonsense— Anthony McGhie (@belatopzeule) December 13, 2017