Kieran Trippier insists he would not ‘hurt another player’ after his challenge on Kevin de Bruyne

Kieran Trippier has insisted he would never ‘hurt another player’ following the reversal of his red card during Newcastle United’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.

Trippier caught City’s Kevin de Bruyne with a reckless challenge above the thigh as Pep Guardiola’s side of superstars broke forward on the counter-attack.

Belgian De Bruyne crumpled under the challenge and was sent flying forward after being clattered at high speed by the Englishman during the second half of the match.

Kieran Trippier sends Kevin de Bruyne flying with a rash tackle against Manchester City

The Englishman was originally shown a red card but this was quickly revoked moments later

Trippier was then shown a straight red card by referee Jarred Gillet for his rash tackle but had it quickly overturned after VAR’s intervention resulted in a yellow card being shown instead.

Speaking about the incident after the game, Trippier said: 

‘[Red card] I’d sacrifice everything for my team, but I wouldn’t injure anybody. I apologised but I want to win. I wouldn’t hurt another player. The referee overturned it.

Trippier celebrates after scoring Newcastle’s third goal against City

‘Our motivation is playing the champions, we want to be where they are. We’ve taken big steps in a short time, but we don’t want to get carried away with ourselves.’

An aggravated De Bruyne clashed with Trippier immediately after the foul but then embraced the Newcastle defender one he had been apologised to.

Trippier and De Bruyne were then seen to be in agreement as he stressed to the City midfielder that the challenge shouldn’t be a red card with the referee then being summoned to the pitch side monitor.

The original punishment was justifiably revoked as everyone inside St James’ Park braced themselves for more VAR controversy, but then cheered as the hosts remained with a full set of players for the remainder of the Premier League clash.

The full-back scored The Magpies third goal with a brilliant free-kick to put Newcastle in the driving seat against Guardiola’s squad of world class players. 

Trippier put Newcastle 3-1 up against Man City inside a packed St James Park

Pep Guardiola (white top) and Eddie Howe embraced following the full-time whistle

Trippier further reflected on the performance by outlining Newcastle had gone toe-to-toe with the league champions but revealed players were disappointed after conceding their two-goal lead.

‘We wanted to go toe-to-toe with them [City] and I thought we did that throughout the match. 

‘Manchester City are a top side and they have the quality to get themselves back in the game but it shows just how far we have come since January. 

‘The lads are disappointed after being 3-1 up, but we have to take the positives.’