Rifts and butts

NEWCASTLE defender Dan Burn grabbed Southampton rival Jan Bednarek by the shirt amid an astonishing tunnel bust-up.

Tempers exploded at half-time after Toon ace Fabian Schar had sparked a flare-up on the St James’ Park pitch by headbutting Ben Brereton Diaz.

Powerful centre-backs Burn and Bednarek were captured on camera pushing and shoving as players walked off at the break.

Joelinton had sneaked the Magpies in front deep in first-half stoppage time after a blunder from Saints’ keeper Alex McCarthy.

And the ill-feeling from all that drama spilled over at the interval.

Bednarek was seen walking backwards in the tunnel – looking angry.

He then stopped in his tracks to exchange words with Burn.

The 6ft 7ins Magpies star responded by shoving Bednarek and grabbing hold of his collar.

That provoked pulling and pushing in the narrow, crowded tunnel – before the two main men were steered apart.

Both teams then carried on their way to the dressing rooms.

Apart from that bust-up, Premier League new boys Southampton will rue 10-man Newcastle seeing out a 1-0 win in the season-opener.

In fact, the Saints might get few better opportunities over the whole campaign of nicking points at any of the Prem’s big spenders.

That’s mainly because of Schar picking up his straight red following the flare-up on 28 minutes.

The Swiss defender was sent flying to the ground when Diaz barged him off the ball.

Schar reacted angrily – shoving the striker and going head-to-head with him.

He made things worse for himself by pushing his head towards Diaz, who slumped to the floor dramatically, holding his own head.

Schar was sent off while the Saints ace was booked for his role in the skirmish.

Newcastle felt aggrieved to go a man down – but the video assistant backed referee Craig Pawson.

And a Premier League statement later confirmed the judgment.

It read: “The referee issued a red card to Schar for violent conduct. VAR checked and confirmed the referee’s call.”

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer posted on social media: “S***housery at its finest but so stupid from Schar.”

Speaking after the game, Magpies boss Eddie Howe said: “I think it’s really harsh on Fabi, but I think we all know that you can’t give the referee the possibility to even give the red card, so that’s something we’ll learn from.”

Opposite number Russell Martin’s view of the incident was understandably different.

Martin said: “I just got asked there if Ben made a meal of it and all that stuff. But when you’re stood still and the guy leads with his head, you give someone the opportunity to make the most of that.

“I guarantee their players would have done the same.”

And although Burn appeared to lose his cool during the interval, his team kept their heads in the second period to clinch victory – Sun.