Krul Moves On From Van Persie Spat

Newcastle United goal keeper Tim Krul has played down the on-field spat with Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie which flared up several times throughout the 90minutes on Monday night.

The Dutch Internationals clashed first during the game after Van Persie indicated he felt Krul was time wasting, and then after the whistle when Krul was seen to be held back by officials as both players headed towards the tunnel.  Both players were booked in the 90(+6) minute for their behaviour.

Krul has since told The Times;

"There are no grudges and these are big games, but it is each week in the Premier League."

He also told the official club website nufc.co.uk;

“I was disappointed with the incident with Robin. We are both professional sportsmen and what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch.

We are playing in arguably the best and toughest league in the world and things like this happen. There is only one thing on my mind during a game and that is winning.

It is important for us that we now turn our attention to Sunday’s game against Norwich. They have done fantastically well in their first season back in the top flight and of course they beat us down at Carrow Road back in December. We owe them one.”

His comments come after fellow team-mate Jonas Gutierrez back him and criticised Van Persie’s behaviour. Gutierrez said;

“I think Van Persie was wrong. There was no need for him to do that - they have won the game, it is finished.

I can’t understand a person like that. I think it is not right. When you feel like that, it is because you are not a good person.

I don’t care about the football; I’m talking about the person. When you have people who do that, it’s not right.

We are all used to getting kicks; it’s a sport of contact. But when you have things like that, it is not right. It is not easy to accept.

He was the only Arsenal player who reacted like that. The others were saying to him, "Calm down, calm down". When you do that, the fans go crazy as well, so it’s no good for the atmosphere of the sport.

It didn’t help the game - both sets of fans are having a good evening, they’re enjoying the game.

He made a big mistake. I say well done to Tim for staying calm. In a second, you can lose your mind, but we have to stay focused.

I was pleased with Tim. You have to think of the next game and the rest of the season at that moment. It is no good to have a reaction and get a three-game ban or something like that.”