Newcastle star Joelinton. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe criticized Joelinton for his stupidity in getting booked during Newcastle's 4-0 win over Leicester City on Saturday.
The Brazilian was objectively excellent against the Foxes, completing 93% of his passes and creating two chances – including one big chance – while attempting three shots and making two clearances.
The Newcastle midfielder is at his best looking for a switch to the American League!
However, Joelinton was shown a yellow card in the 71st minute for a late challenge on James Justin.
with Magpie After leading 4-0, this was a challenge Joelinton did not need to undertake and will now prove rather costly as the 28-year-old will miss Newcastle's trip away to Ipswich Town next Saturday.
Newcastle boss Howe will be even more puzzled and frustrated with the midfielder given he warned him of being booked just minutes before Joelinton stupidly entered the challenge.
“It's weird how things work. I'm talking to him from the side, he's right in front of me and I say 'Joey, don't get booked', and he says 'Don't worry I won't do that',” Howe told reporters after the emphatic win (via Facts).
“In some ways these things happen sometimes,” he added. I'm disappointed to lose him because he's a player we need in every away game but at least he can now play for free and play his normal game.
Joelinton will be out for one game, and Nick Pope will be out for one month
Saturday's win ended a run of four games without a win for Newcastle, and moved them up to 11th in the table, just four points behind Manchester City in fifth and five points clear of the Champions League places.
But the Magpies face a challenging festive schedule that begins with a UEFA Cup clash with Brentford on Wednesday and also includes matches against the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham.
While Joelinton has been suspended for just one league match, Newcastle will have to do without goalkeeper Nick Pope – who was replaced on Saturday by Martin Dubravka due to injury.
“He saw the specialist and the feedback was that he would be out for about a month, which is very bad timing for us and Nick because there are a lot of games in that four-week period. Hopefully after those four weeks, he will be in good shape,” Howe said of Bob. “Enough to play.”
“He got injured passing the ball against Brentford. It looked really harmless, it was a left-footed pass, but his knee didn't feel good after that, so that's the plan.
