Did you see Steven Taylor strike Andrei Arshavin’s face on Saturday? The Newcastle defender was at it again and, as always, nobody blamed him, so let me do it.
I reckon that Taylor is the kind of a player The Magpies need in their fight against relegation because of his determination, toughness and unquestionable commitment.
But the England Under-21 international crossed the line on Saturday, and I must say it was not the first time. A few weeks ago, Taylor sent Cristiano Ronaldo off the park with a superb hook that would have made Joe Calzaghe proud.
Believe me, I am the first one to blame Ronaldo for his bad diving habits, but this time I was fully behind the Portuguese, who was literally attacked.
Let me ask Chris Hughton what Taylor’s mission was on Saturday? Because as soon as the game against Arsenal started, he jumped at Arshavin and tackled him from behind without any provocation.
And when both players were fighting for the ball later on in the first half, Taylor knocked the Russian out. Was he fighting for the ball or for a WBC belt?
Such behaviour should never be accepted by the league, and it is absolutely unbelievable that match referee Mark Halsey did not see it.
The Premier League is exciting for its tough approach and I like a nice two-footed tackle on the ball - as Gael Clichy did in the same game to deny Obafemi Martins.
But, dear Steven, it is not the ideal way if you want to avoid the drop. You should rather concentrate on the last-ditch tackles you do so well.
I believe that Taylor wants to intimidate his adversaries when they make the trip up north, to show them that St James’ Park is a well-protected fortress.
Yet punching your opponent is not part of the game, and I would not be writing this piece if the man in black had done his job.