By MARTIN BLACKBURN
ALAN PARDEW defended Fabricio Coloccini after he was branded a ‘coward’.
Newcastle’s Argentinian defender was sent off for a nasty-looking lunge on Liverpool’s Luis Suarez at Anfield.
And it led to Sky TV pundit Chris Coleman slamming the Toon skipper. The Wales boss blasted: “That is a scandalous challenge, a coward’s challenge.
“Football is a physical game but that was a coward’s challenge. He catches his heel but if he catches him higher, then it is serious.”
But Pardew felt there was no intent in the challenge, which could have left the Kop hero in serious trouble had Coloccini connected properly.
The Toon chief said: “I’ve got no reaction to Chris Coleman’s comments.”
But he admitted: “I’ve seen it a couple of times on the video and it doesn’t look too clever if I’m honest.
“But he stopped himself to some extent and Colo was surprised when he looked at it again.
“I was too but didn’t think there was any malicious intent there.”
Referee Anthony Taylor thought differently, awarding a straight red in the 84th minute.
Pardew lost goalscorer Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and James Perch to injuries and may now have his captain banned for three games.
Newcastle could yet appeal and Pardew said: “Part of me is thinking that there’s no intent from Colo because I know what he’s like.
“But looking at the video I think there’s nowhere for us to go.
“I’ll have to discuss it with the club secretary on Monday.”
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said the Toon skipper’s reaction was the result of being given a torrid afternoon by Uruguayan Suarez.
Suarez capped a sizzling performance with a wonder goal to cancel out Cabaye’s opener.
Rodgers said: “When Coloccini got sent off he was frustrated. He’s a good defender, but Luis is so bright, so clever.
“He’s a real world-class striker and on that form today he really provokes and frustrates defenders.”
Former Liverpool and Newcastle striker Michael Owen also defended one-time team-mate Coloccini on Twitter.
He posted: “Not having that at all. He didn’t touch him and to say there was intent is laughable.”
