Sir Bobby has Sympathy for Cunningham


By Matthew Jones
July 25 2003

Kenny Cunningham of Birmingham City was sent off after fouling Craig Bellamy. Alan Shearer slotted hope from the spot, to give Newcastle the opening goal. Robson sympathised with referee Rob Styles and Cunningham. Sir Bobby Robson is feeling for Birmingham City defender Kenny Cunningham after he was shown the red card in Newcastle's 2-1 win over their Premiership rivals yesterday in the Asia Cup.

Cunningham was sent off after fouling Craig Bellamy. Alan Shearer slotted hope from the spot, to give Newcastle the opening goal.

Paul Devlin levelled the scores, also from the spot, before Shola Ameobi headed into the back of the net to earn Newcastle a place in the final of the competition against Chelsea or Malaysia.

Robson sympathised with referee Rob Styles and Cunningham and said: "Birmingham lost their centre-half and the referee, I suppose, had to apply the letter of the law. It was a penalty and he [Cunningham] was the last man.

"But in a game like this you think 'we've come all this way... could he perhaps have [let him stay on]. But it's tricky for the referee and he has to please everyone."

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