Newcastle manager Alan Pardew felt that referee Chris Foy antagonised events in the 1-1 draw with Bolton.
But Newcastle boss does not want to blame ref for draw
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew felt that referee Chris Foy antagonised events in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bolton.
First-half goals from Kevin Nolan and Daniel Sturridge ensured a share of the points at St James' Park, but the home side were forced to play the final half-an-hour with 10 men.
Ryan Taylor was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Johan Elmander, but, while Pardew had no complaints with the red-card decision, he was not overly impressed with the complete performance of Foy.
Pardew, who was forced to start with Taylor after Joey Barton suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury, said: "I thought the referee was a little bit antagonistic to the home team."
Asked to explain, he said: "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."
