In the eyes of the majority, Shelvey was harshly dismissed for a kick out at Henri Lansbury.
Newcastle United playmaker Jonjo Shelvey has told The Chronicle that he believes he has repaid the fans for his red card against Nottingham Forest by helping The Magpies get back on track on Saturday.
The 24-year-old was initially expected to be unavailable for Birmingham City’s trip to St James’ Park on Saturday after he was given a straight red for kicking out at Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury in the first-half of their 2-1 defeat at the City Ground last week.
However, Shelvey’s four game suspension was overturned on appeal following a wave of criticism towards referee Stephen Martin and Lansbury himself, who made the most of minimal contact from the Newcastle talisman.
Nonetheless, the England international still betrayed signs of the indiscipline that marred his early career at Liverpool and Swansea City though Shelvey believes playing a starring role in a 4-0 battering of Birmingham was the best possible way to make amends to the fans.
“Last week, I felt that I didn’t deserve to be sent off to be honest with you. I thought [Lansbury] made a meal of it, but it is what it is,” Shelvey told The Chronicle.
“Obviously, I still felt like I’d let the team down because we ended up losing the game. I felt that I needed to go out there and owe one to the team and owe one to the fans, and I think that I’ve done that today, and repaid them.”
After a run of two straight Championship defeats, Rafael Benitez could hardly have done without his metronomic midfielder when Garry Rowett’s side came to Toon at the weekend.
As it stands, Newcastle remain at the top of the second tier, a point clear of Brighton.
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