NEWCASTLE fans are loving the reason Kieran Trippier pretended he was going to take their last minute spot kick against Nottingham Forest last night.
With the match level at 1-1 going into stoppage time, the Toon were awarded a penalty for Moussa Niakhate’s handball.
Magpies captain Trippier initially grabbed the ball as if he would be the taker.
Furious Forest stars tried to put the right-back off – his old Tottenham team-mate Serge Aurier delaying the kick by standing by the spot and Keylor Navas being booked.
Trippier appeared unfazed by it all, grinning knowingly.
And at the last moment the former Spurs man revealed why – handing the ball to ice cool team-mate Alexander Isak.
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The Swede calmly slotted home from 12 yards, sealing an important three points for Eddie Howe’s men.
Isak had already scored in the match, cancelling out Emmanuel Dennis’ chip with a shinned volley.
Newcastle fans loved their team’s psychological tactic, with one writing: “Last week the pretend to time waste corner was amazing.
“This week, Trippier pretending to be taking the penalty is SO clever. Like properly clever as a way to take the pressure away from Isak.
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“Excellent coaching. Elite.”
A second tweeted: “If that was intentional it was absolutely immense. Trippier just stands there taking all of the pathetic gamesmanship. Superb.”
To which a third replied: “I think it was. You could see Trippier’s grin as it went on. He was trying not to laugh and give it away.”
Another added: “They had me fooled haha. To the point where I actually tweeted saying that I don’t like Trips on penalties!”
A further user posted: “Add ‘Kieran Trippier pretending to be about to take the penalty, before handing it to Isak last second’ to the list of classic #NUFC s***house moments this season, by the way.”
Newcastle’s 2-1 win took them to within one point of fourth placed Tottenham going into Saturday’s fixtures – while still possessing a game in hand on the North Londoners.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
