Archive
Shola "Dumbfounded" By Red Card
Written by Newcastle Utd
Shola Ameobi was left "dumbfounded" by his Anfield red card, as Newcastle United went down 2-1 at Liverpool
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Shola Ameobi was left "dumbfounded" by his Anfield red card, as Newcastle United went down 2-1 at Liverpool on Sunday.
And the long-serving striker - who is out of contract this summer - admits he it will leave a sour taste if that proves to be his final moment as a Magpies player.
Ameobi received two yellow cards in the space of ten seconds from referee Phil Dowd, immediately after the Reds had bagged their second goal in as many minutes to edge in front.
And that left everyone associated with the visitors scratching their heads - not least the Nigerian international front man himself.
"You can't make up the way I was sent off. I still don't know why it happened," Ameobi told nufc.co.uk following the final whistle.
"I was given a first yellow card for dissent, but for the second one I'm ready to take the restart when the referee has called me back.
"He told me to stop showing dissent, so I told him that I was allowed to plead my case. I asked him 'are you going to send me off for trying to plead my case for my team?' and he said 'yes'.
"I've asked a question and been sent off for that. I'm dumbfounded by it.
"People who know me know I don't swear and that I am not abusive.
"If this is my last game for Newcastle then it isn't the way I would have liked to go out. I'm quite upset by it.
"If it is my last game, I wanted to go out on a high and we were doing great for an hour.
"I'm disappointed in myself for putting myself in that situation in the first place, but in the heat of the moment when decisions aren't going your way you get frustrated.
"I've apologised to my teammates and would like to apologise to the fans because they were here cheering every single one of us on."
Ameobi had played a key role in an impressive first hour for the visitors on Merseyside, as Martin Skrtel's own goal gave United a deserved advantage.
A quickfire double from Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge turned the game on its head, however, to leave Newcastle empty-handed on the final day of the campaign.
"Up until they scored their first goal, I thought we were well worth the lead," said Ameobi.
"We stuck to the game plan we had and caused them problems.
"We put a lot of effort in and so to come out on the wrong side of the result is quite frustrating."