It’s fascinating to read these comments from BBC Sport after Newcastle United’s win over Southampton. United had to play with ten men for most of the game when Fabian Schar was sent off for cheating Ben Brereton Diaz.

The comments from neutral readers are particularly informative …

Much was different from what Newcastle United fans had expected from the “neutral” broadcasters of BBC Sport.

In the past, the comments from neutral observers on BBC Sport have mostly been a series of insults against NUFC fans.

In particular, it covers issues surrounding the owners of Newcastle United and the media-fuelled smear campaigns that NUFC fans have become accustomed to when they are blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion, however, politics was completely absent.

Instead, one particular incident dominated the debate…

BBC Sport reader comments include neutral voices, Brentford fans and the odd Newcastle supporter:

“Whether you agree with the sending off or not, we all agree that it was a simulation and Diaz should be held accountable for it.”

“Blatant cheating by Diaz that spoiled the game.

I hope the Southampton players hold him to account because his theatrics inspired Newcastle to victory and the home crowd made the difference.

There will be comments here that Southampton deserved something, which perhaps would have been the case had they stuck with 11 players per team.

I hope the FA will look into this incident carefully, revoke the red card and punish Diaz appropriately.’

“Southampton may have lost but you can’t deny that their players gave their all, especially Ben Brereton Diaz, who sacrificed his dignity for the cause.”

“A fair result considering Breteton Dias’s pathetic reaction. Simply fraud!”

“Congratulations on the win, but don’t pretend Newcastle didn’t run out of time through cheating/tactics.”

“You just created a whole new level of stupidity.”

“So isn’t it cheating if Pope faked an injury to prevent the game from happening? Let’s be honest: Both teams are guilty.”

“Sorry to spoil your mood, but Pope injured his ankle during a goal kick and was still limping after the final whistle.”

“Yes, Newcastle were terrible and should be kicked out of the league for wasting time.”

“Go back to your video games. You’ve never played Sunday morning football if you think this is a headbutt.”

“I think if I were a referee, I would have everyone stand in a big circle around Dias and just stare at him until he gets up.”

‘Thoughts and prayers for Brereton

It must have been a mighty belch from Schar to knock him down like that.’

“The referee can be forgiven for seeing the ‘red card’ in real time and possibly not having a clear view, but what on earth does the VAR do? He sends Diaz off, a yellow card for the obvious foul on Schar at the last minute, another for the simulation.”

“With all the talk about VAR and players still being afraid to get others sent off, are VAR staff now afraid to actually make decisions?”

“If you watch the replay, he was the first to make contact with Schar.”

“Lots of venom and bile from the Newcastle fans here, even though they won. I agree Dias made a big deal out of it and I bet most Southampton fans would agree when the dust settles.”

“You could see the direction things were going when Harwood-Bellis blocked Gordon professionally at the beginning… no foul… that’s discouraging for attacking players… Soton did that all game…”

“Always the same. The Saints were relegated because they had the worst goalkeeper in the league and strikers at Championship level. I see nothing has changed…”

“The fairest result would have been for both players to be sent off. Schar should not have reacted. And Dias should have been punished for blatant, shameful cheating. I hope other players have now earmarked him for special treatment in future matches.”

“A well-deserved win for Newcastle. Southampton are not strong. I reckon they will be in a relegation battle by the end of February.”

“The manager of Southampton is acting like Burnley. It’s stupid to insist on playing from the back in every game. That only leads to relegation. You have to choose your tactics depending on the opponent.”

“It will be a long season for the Saints. They cannot score against ten men and, despite having possession, they do not pose a great threat. Relegation is looming.”

What was Schar thinking? My goodness

Provoked and reacted, a stupid action for a professional footballer.

He should have just smiled and not let it bother him. I am amazed that these professional players, with all their skills, do not have the mental strength to keep everything in their head and outsmart their opponents. It is a mind game.

Then I chinned the guy in the tunnel after the game.’

“Exactly the same problem as always with the Saints. Why we are making the dead horse Armstrong so strong in attack is beyond me. He wasn’t good enough for Newcastle and you can understand why. He’s not quite at Premier level, well almost but not quite. Didn’t score enough goals two years ago and won’t do it this season either. Hopefully Archer is stronger.”

“Never a red card. Both moved their heads. Such a fraud.”

Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – Saturday, August 17, 15:00

Red card for Schar 28, Joelinton 45

(Half-time statistics in brackets)

possession was Newcastle 22% (27%) Southampton 78% (73%)

Total number of shots were Newcastle 3 (3) Southampton 19 (4)

Shots on goal were Newcastle 1 (1) Southampton 5 (1)

Corners were Newcastle 3 (3) Southampton 12 (1)

Ball contacts in the penalty area Newcastle 16 (11) Southampton 48 (8)

Pope, Livramento, Schar (Krafth 28), Burn, Hall (Kelly 70), Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; J Murphy (Krafth 30), Isak, Gordon (Barnes 70)

Dubravka, Trippier, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Willock

(Newcastle 1 – Southampton 0 – An absolutely brilliant performance and a win for Newcastle United with ten men – Read it HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – Instant reaction from a Newcastle United fan/writer – Read it HERE)

Newcastle United’s schedule until the end of October 2024:

Sunday, 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth vs Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Week commencing Monday, August 26, 2024 – Matches of the second round of the Carabao Cup will be played

Friday, August 30, 2024 – The summer transfer window closes at 23:00.

Sunday, September 1, 2024 – Newcastle vs Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(First international break of the season)

Sunday, September 15, 2024 – Wolves vs Newcastle (4.30pm), Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September and Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup, Third Round (This round is split over two weeks)

Saturday, 21 September 2024 – Fulham – Newcastle (3 p.m.)

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September and Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup, Third Round (This round is split over two weeks)

Saturday, September 28, 2024 – Newcastle vs Man City (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday, October 5 – Everton vs Newcastle (5pm), Sky Sports

Saturday, October 19 – Newcastle vs Brighton (3pm)