Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has questioned referee Phil Dowd's decision to send off two of his side's players during today's defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

The Magpies looked comfortable with a one-goal lead until Liverpool struck twice in as many minutes to turn the game around. The visitors' task got even harder before the game had even restarted after the second goal when Shola Ameobi was shown two yellow cards for dissent in quick succession.

Ameobi, whose contract at St James' Park expires this summer, was later joined in the changing rooms by Paul Dummett, who was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Luis Suarez.

"I think what happened is [Dowd] said 'if you carry on I am going to send you off' and maybe sarcastically Shola said 'are you going to send me off?' and he did," Pardew told reporters.

"That is what Phil told me. He should have managed it better than that. It was a shame. I know Shola and he doesn't swear. It was sad because it might be his last match for us. How angry can you get if you don't swear?

"The Paul Dummett one was just a yellow card. Brendan agreed with me."

Newcastle ended the season in 10th place, dropping below Stoke City courtesy of the Potters' 2-1 win away to West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.