Steve Bruce has leapt to the defence of Andy Carroll after an elbow storm at Turf Moor.
The big striker clashed with Ben Mee against Burnley resulting in Sean Dyche falling for a red card for the Toon star.
But Bruce said: “I didn’t think it was an elbow. There was a rugby tackle on Andy in the last two minutes.
“When two people are challenging for the ball, you’re going to have contact. When you’re playing against Burnley, they’re going to ask questions of you when the ball goes up, but he gave foul after foul against both teams, and for me, a more experienced referee would have let it go.”
Bruce also felt that referee Tim Robinson did not have control of a niggling encounter - with the same referee also opting not to send off Leicester's Hamza Choudhury for a challenge on Matt Ritchie in the Carabao Cup tie back in August.
He said: “Unfortunately, he made a rod for his own back with his inexperience.
“I hate to criticise him because I know how difficult it is but we’re talking about the elite level here.
“For me, he looked short. That’s twice he’s refereed us now, and from the first time, Matt Ritchie still hasn’t recovered.”
And reflecting on Dyche’s claims, Bruce added: “There were challenges all over today.
“When you jump, it’s impossible to jump with your arms down by your side.
“Sometimes you catch people, that’s why I’ve got a face like I have, and you have to take it.
“It is what it is. When you’re playing against Burnley, or you’re playing against Andy Carroll, there are going to be big physical confrontations.
“I think that’s where the referee unfortunately got tied up in it, and a more experienced one would have let a bit more go.
“Every confrontation was a foul, and that’s not right.”
