Newcastle winger Jacob Murphy trolled Southampton centre-back Duje Caleta-Car after the Croatian was sent off during his team's 1-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
The 26-year-old was given his marching orders after a cynical foul on Allan Saint-Maximin, with referee Stuart Attwell showing the defender a second yellow card. He was booked in the first half and then with five minutes remaining brought down the Frenchman, who was through on goal, before shoving Bruno Guimaraes which resulted in another card and sparked a brawl between the two sides.
To make matters worse, Caleta-Car was mocked as he left the pitch by Jacob Murphy, who appeared to wave at the defender as he walked towards the tunnel. Caleta-Car turned around in frustration at the Newcastle players, before focusing on Murphy and appearing to have a brief conversation with the Magpies star.
After his red card, Caleta-Car will be banned for the second leg at St James' Park next week - a decision that could cost Saints given how impressive he has been in their upturn in form. But fans have focused specifically on Murphy's brutal wave, rather than the incident itself given how clear-cut the yellow card was.
One fan started: "Cheeky by Murphy, but did you notice how quickly Caleta-Car calmed down when Big Joe got involved..." Meanwhile, another said: "That was very unnecessary."
A third continued: "Murphy needs a retrospective red card!" A fourth replied: "Is this the most Sunday league moment ever seen in a match between two top-flight teams?"
Another added: "If Southampton do the unthinkable and win at St James Park. That incident will meme to high heaven. The football gods are sadistic in finding their next victims. Don't ever rye them. A Warning from History. Newcastle fans know this too well."
The game was controversial throughout as Newcastle ran out 1-0 winners at St Mary's Stadium courtesy of Joelinton's second-half strike. But the Brazilian thought he had scored in the first half, only for the referee to rule the goal out for handball in the build-up.
The Brazilian then should've found the back of the net just after the break, but somehow managed to blast over from a couple of yards. He made amends with just under 20 minutes to go, however, when he stabbed home from close range to put the Magpies in front.
Moments later, Adam Armstrong equalised for Southampton, but VAR ruled it out for handball in the lead-up. That sucked the life out of the hosts as Newcastle held on for a narrow win.
Nottingham Forest face Manchester United in the first leg of the other semi-final tie on Wednesday night.
