After giving away a penalty in the last minute of their 2-2 draw against Southampton on Saturday afternoon, Newcastle fans did not hold back in their criticism of Jamal Lascelles.
Steve Bruce’s side took the lead against the run of play against the Saints at St James’ Park through Callum Wilson’s header before Mohammed Elyounoussi bundled in an equaliser.
The Toon looked to have won it when Allan Saint-Maximin smashed home in the 90th minute, only for Southampton to earn a penalty in the last minute of injury time, which James Ward-Prowse duly tucked away.
Unsurprisingly, after Lascelles poor challenge on former Newcastle man Adam Armstrong gifted Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side the chance to equalise, fans were quick to criticise the centre-back on Twitter.
How did Newcastle fans rate Lascelles’ performance?
“I understand that Lascelles had read NUFC360’s tweet about ASM winning the game and assumed the full-time whistle blew. He committed the foul as a joke not realising the game was continuing. A total mess.”
Credit: @_EnGee
“I’ve never liked Lascelles and still don’t…there said it.”
Credit: @jimski_king
“Lascelles needs dropping for the Man United game. Play Fernandez as the middle centre back and bring in Dummett.”
Credit: @maxnufcx
“Need Dummet back in that defence – Lascelles needs to be dropped. Would also be tempted to bring Lewis and Manquillo back in as well. Total shambles at the back all game.”
Credit: @TalkNUFC1
“The lunge from Lascelles for the penalty was desperate, reckless and unneeded. #nufc were lucky to still be in the game at Half-time. Did well to come back into it in the 2nd half & retake the lead, but a draw was the most we deserved.”
Credit: @DarylM87
“Honestly what is with us and the inability to hold on to a lead ! 4 times in three games we’ve blown a lead and 3 times in 3 games we’ve conceded a penalty. Twice from Lascelles. He needs dropping from both the team and as captain as he has just been shambolic.”
Is the criticism of Lascelles fair?
Although this means that the Englishman has given away two penalties already this season, you feel that if he hadn’t made the challenge on Armstrong he probably would’ve equalised anyway.
However, the challenge from the £11.7m-rated ace was nowhere near good enough and it is easy to see why Newcastle fans are frustrated given the timing of Southampton’s equaliser.
And, in other news… Fans react to Bobby Clark’s ‘shameful’ Newcastle exit