A lot of Newcastle United fans were shocked to see Nabil Bentaleb substituted in extra time during the Toon’s 3-2 win over Oxford United in the FA Cup.
The Magpies took a two-nil lead but were pegged back in the last ten minutes and needed a stunning Allan Saint-Maximin goal to seal their progression through to the fifth round.
Should Bruce have kept Bentaleb on?
Yes, he was playing well
No, he could barely move
However, many Toon fans were baffled when Christian Atsu replaced Bentaleb with penalties approaching.
This is because the Algerian international has an excellent penalty record.
Bentaleb, who has scored every penalty he’s taken in senior football, off for Atsu. #nufc
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) February 4, 2020
Absolute joke. Although he was guaranteed to miss his first in a Newcastle shirt.
— Micky Cog (@thefacog) February 4, 2020
You couldn’t make it up lol
— Adrian Langley (@adi_bizzle) February 4, 2020
Was just thinking that. Bruce logic. Typical.
— Andy Hone (@andyhone) February 4, 2020
That’s top class management for you !
— Tony (@Tonyc1234) February 4, 2020
There’s a stat…
— James (@billywillows) February 4, 2020
Bruceosaurus
— Ian (@ian_riches) February 4, 2020
What do we think?
Bentaleb, who is valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, has scored 15 out of his 15 penalties, so if the match had gone to a penalty shoot-out, then subbing off the 25-year-old might have looked like a bad decision.
However, Atsu instead provided the assist for the winner, and penalties were not required, so in the end, this was a good decision by Bruce.