Newcastle boss Eddie Howe confronted by pitch invader during Leeds United clash
Eddie Howe appeared to be shoved by a supporter during the closing stages of a controversy-filled Premier League clash between Newcastle and Leeds United at Elland Road.
Elland Road security were forced to remove an intruder who confronted Newcastle boss Eddie Howe during the clash with Leeds United.
BT Sport cameras captured the moment a member of the capacity crowd made their way up the touchline and into the technical area of the visiting boss.The flashpoint occurred in the closing stages of a thrilling 2-2 draw to start the Premier League weekend.
Newcastle were waiting to take a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box after Junior Firpo was dismissed for a second yellow. Kieran Trippier stood over the free-kick, before the fervent crowd noticed the disturbance on the touchline.
As Kieran Trippier’s effort was blocked by the Leeds wall, pictures showed the man approaching Howe before an intervention from the fourth official Graham Scott.
As the man was forced away, a number of members of the Newcastle coaching team tried to push the man back before he was grabbed by security.
When asked about the invasion after the match, Howe said: ‘That was a real suprise.
‘I was concentrating on the game, and that’s the last thing that you would expect to happen.’
The intrusion will no doubt raise concerns over how it was possible for the intruder to get as far as the technical area, much less man-handled the head coach.
On the Magpies had to be content with the single point won on the road, after Rasmus Kristensen’s edge-of-the-box strike levelled the score with ten minutes left to play.
