Pardew: Atmosphere got to ref

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said referee Chris Foy may have let the atmosphere get the better of him at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The official dismissed Ryan Taylor for a two-footed tackle on Bolton’s Swedish striker Johan Elmander which meant the hosts played the final half hour of the 1-1 Premier League draw with 10 men.

Pardew levelled no complaint against Foy over the dismissal, but said the intimidating atmosphere led to officiating mistakes that went against the Magpies.

“I thought the referee was a little bit antagonistic to the home team,” Pardew told Sky Sports after a match which saw Newcastle stay ninth in the table.

“I think sometimes referees, when the crowd gets on them, it doesn’t work in your favour.”

“I think that is human nature. I don’t mean any criticism of the referee, I just genuinely think he got wrapped up in it a little bit.”

“The crowd were booing him and he was like, ‘okay, that looks like another one to the opposition’.”

“It was no reflection on the result. I’m not trying to hide behind that.”

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said he was delighted with the battling spirit shown by his team, and singled out on-loan striker Daniel Sturridge, who scored his fourth goal in as many matches since arriving from Chelsea.

“It’s another great point. We scored a very good goal and it was a terrific game with two teams that were going all out to win the match,” Coyle said.

“Newcastle have been on a terrific run of form of late and we knew we would need to be at our maximum.”

“It was a terrific finish from Daniel (Sturridge) and we went onto create numerous chances and certainly could have gone in at half-time with the lead.”

“(Sturridge) is a natural goalscorer, but he is more than that. I think he is a natural footballer.”

“He can finish, left foot, right foot, he will score headed goals and he has got pace to burn. He is a clever footballer.”