Matt Ritchie has been known to kick the corner flag to celebrate but the Newcastle United winger's trademark backfired after the Magpies scored a late winner against Chelsea.
Isaac Hayden scored a late header, after Ritchie's poor corner, to secure a much needed and surprising three points for Steve Bruce's team against fourth place Chelsea.
Ritchie celebrated by running to the corner to join the goalscorer and kicked the corner flag, as is his way, but the flag went into the jubilant crowd and smacked one poor fan right in the balls, ouch!
Injury has kept Ritchie out of the team for most of the season as he came off prematurely during August's Carabao Cup game against Leicester City, after just 48 minutes.
The Scotsman remained on the sidelines until this month and made his return off the bench in the FA Cup third round against Rochdale, in a 1-1 draw.
He played in the replay 10 days later from the start and came on after just 12 minutes, due to Jetro Willems' injury, on his league return against Chelsea.
The 30-year-old's reputation for kicking the corner flag is such that the Athletic ran an article on the former Bournemouth winger titled 'Corner flags beware: Radgie Ritchie - 'the angry wee bastard' - is back' earlier in the week.
Newcastle had to soak up much of the pressure against Frank Lampard's side on Saturday evening as the visitors had 70% of possession and 19 shots, although only four were on target.
Bruce's men were good for at least a point though as they defended well. They earned a late corner only for Ritchie's effort not to clear the first man, Allan Saint-Maximin saved the day with his follow up cross which Hayen headed in.
The three points took Newcastle up to 12th and seven points clear of the relegation zone.
If they stay up no corner flags, or fans' genitals, will be safe!
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/foul-play-funny-ritchie-accidentally-kicked-a-corner-flag-into-a-fan-while-celebrating-20200118
0 Comments