Jonjo Shelvey has explained his decision to issue an apology to Newcastle United fans despite helping his side to victory at Brighton. The former Liverpool playmaker has impressed in recent weeks during the Magpies’ nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Shelvey insists he just felt it was something he ‘owed’ to fans, and did not want to get drawn on whether the decision was the ‘right thing’ to do. Speaking after Thursday night’s victory at Southampton,
Jonjo Shelvy said: “I’m obviously not on social media so I haven’t got a way of communicating with the fans. But I was disappointed personally with my first-half performance against Brighton, so I felt like I owed an apology to them, Whether it was the right thing or not, it is what it is. We won the game, got the three points and it’s just about building that momentum and we’ve got to continue. It’s about recovering, and going again on Sunday.”
Shelvey delivered the assist for Chris Wood’s first goal in black-and-white which drew Newcastle level at St Mary’s following Stuart Armstrong’s header. The stand-in captain’s midfield partner Bruno Guimaraes went on to seal the latest 2-1 win with an instinctive backheel volley, and the January signing’s performance was singled out for praise.
Jonjo Shelvey added: “He was brilliant tonight. He got on the ball and got us playing, he was outstanding. He obviously topped it off with a great finish, I don’t think I could get my leg that high! He’s got that Brazilian bit of magic, and luckily it was the one that got us the three points.”
