Referee Styles in spotlight as Newcastle draw with City

Referee Rob Styles found himself amid another controversial penalty decision as 10-man Newcastle drew 2-2 with Manchester City at St James Park on Monday night.

Styles, who late last month apologised to Bolton for the penalty decision that condemned them to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United, showed red to Habib Beye in what appeared a harsh decision.

Beye tackled Robinho on the edge of the box and looked to have taken the ball in a fair challenge but Styles dismissed Beye to change the complexion of the game. Robinho easily put the spot kick past Shay Given in Newcastle's goal.

Early on Newcastle were in turmoil as City passed repeatedly the ball through them, although they were at least able to hold firm in the final third.

At one point Richard Dunne needed treatment after being caught by his own keeper Joe Hart as the pair tried to prevent Shola Ameobi from reaching Geremi's cross.

Dunne left the field bleeding from his nose to temporarily leave the game at 10 aside, and the Magpies almost took full advantage 10 minutes before the break.

Dunne eventually returned, and played a part in the equaliser when his clearance cannoned off Damian Duff and ran into the path of Shola Ameobi, who controlled before stabbing the ball home.

A 63rd minute Dunne own goal put Newcastle amazingly back ahead although they had played so much time with 10 men, though Stephen Ireland managed an equaliser for City with four minutes left.

Manchester City were left in 10th spot in the Premiership table while Newcastle remained second from bottom.