I think Hemmings was lucky to escape a red card; while an attacker is entitled to go for the ball in that situation as it wasn't in the keepers control, not in the way that he did with studs showing. There were some other incidents where many referees would have brought out a card, but Mr Backhouse chose not to. However, with my Tranmere hat on, think there is some validity in the point Mellon made about Byrne being blocked off in the build-up to the Newcastle equaliser. Howe was quite evasive when asked about it post-match, so reckon he does too...