Like so many NUFC fans, I came into this one expecting very little, so if someone had told me we’d still be in the game with 10 minutes to play I’d have bitten your hand off.
Despite Man City’s real dominance (having an incredible 81% of the ball), it took Aguero’s 83rd minute goal to kill off our spirited fight-back, with us really coming into the game after Jacob Murphy’s 67th minute strike – his first competitive goal for NUFC.
It’s a funny old game. Shortly after City’s second, BT Sport highlighted a stat showing that the home side had enjoyed were enjoying a staggering 85% possession at the time. Seconds later, a threaded pass from Ciaran Clark put Murphy in behind , who scored to put us right back in it at 2-1. It was our first attack in the second half, yet a marauding run from Mo Diame nearly put us on level terms just minutes later. Some may say we left it a little late to attack but, like the reverse fixture last month, we put ourselves in a position to get a result with 10 minutes to play – and not many sides can say that against City this season.
I said before the game that it was important not to get hammered today for goal difference reasons and a 3-1 defeat is no disgrace against one of the top sides in Europe right now – especially when the likes of Brighton (4-0) and Palace (4-1) were beaten by greater margins themselves today.
They were the far superior side (as you’d expect), but there wasn’t a lack of effort, discipline and desire from our lads today – three traits that we’ll have to show week in week out in the battle for safety over the remainder of the season.
Positives:
We don't have to play City again
Our GD is still one of the best in the bottom half
Watford, WBA, Brighton, Palace, Hudds, West Ham and Bournemouth all dropping points
Murphy full of confidence
Diame continues to perform
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) January 20, 2018
Murphy had a poor first half, but he went from strength to strength after his goal, being our only real attacking outlet and the one player who looked to run at them, carry the ball and make things happen. He has to start at home to Burnley next time out (in the league), and parts of his performance today make it all the more mystifying that Rafa didn’t start him, or at least bring him on in the frustrating 1-1 draw with Swansea last weekend.
Our approach was timid at times, however we did make the odd effort to box them in at the back on occasion – although they often broke out of it and looked so likely to score when we committed men forward. Perhaps this explains why we sat so deep in our two games against them. They just pick you off with ease if you give them space.
Dummett was superb at left-back, keeping one of the leagues most in-form attacker at bay in Raheem Sterling. Hayden also deserves a mention, putting in an impressive display at centre-back. Might he have a new lease of life in this role after looking incredibly ordinary at centre-midfield so far this season? Lascelles and Clark also put in solid displays, with the latter laying on the assist for Murphy with a lovely defence splitting pass; atoning for his error in the first half where he allowed Aguero to get free for their opener.
CLICK HERE to see my player ratings in full from today’s game.
Onto Chelsea away in the FA Cup next Sunday followed by a crucial home game with Burnley a week on Wednesday. HWTL!
Match stats
Today’s results & updated PL table
- Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace
- Burnley 0-1 Man Utd
- Everton 1-1 West Brom
- Leicester 2-0 Watford
- Stoke 2-0 Huddersfield
- West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth
I thought all the lads put a shift in today like and Murphy is only getting better imo.
I agree about Dummett too.
If Rafa can get a forward in who can score 8-10 goals between now & the end of the season I think we stay up.
That’s has to be our priority now coz I think defensively (whilst we could strengthen) we look ok in comparison to the others down there.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy agree, but I worry that we are only linked to defenders, MF players and wingers and goal keepers.
mf I can understand if he’s about to let Shelvey go and keeper I would say an upgrade possibly but Striker is an absolute must before any others imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy – A scorer who will get 8-10 goals between now and the end of the season is a 20 goal a season man. Can you tell me where we will get one of them from for free or loan while still only paying £60-£70k a week?
For me, and this is the frustrating thing, I don’t believe we’re too far away from having a decent side that would finish top ten. With Jabba, that’s unlikely.
Stuart79(Quote)
Mirror claiming Jabba has told Rafa he can spend whatever it takes to keep the club up. Ffs! That will not happen and the media are lapping up Jabba’s PR guru Harold Bishop.
Stuart79(Quote)
proof is in the pudding mate, we’ll soon see how much he had to spend windows end.
kimtoon(Quote)
W\H say they cannot sign Shelvey and match his wages £90,000 a week 🙄 ,jabba want Rafa to sign a new contract 🙄 cannot see that happening
icedog(Quote)
Still argue that Defoe could be the one to make a difference in terms of who we could afford.
georgio(Quote)
So Watford have sacked Silva. That’s a fall from Grace and some! Who’s left to replace him with? My bet would be some Italian as they like them.
Stuart79(Quote)
didnt see that coming mate,hes a bit like Pardew starts off well, then
icedog(Quote)
Silva gone then, madness they should of took the money off Everton for him, now they have to pay him to go. 😆
Apparently they want the Malaga manager now.
kimtoon(Quote)
God I hate WH, always pleading poverty that lot then turn around and spend big on a player.
No way Rafa will sign an extension until he gets a new boss imo.
kimtoon(Quote)
Could well be the Saints manager this afternoon as well if they get turned over by Spurs – they’re in the bottom 3 now and are on a real bad run too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
thats nice 😀
icedog(Quote)
Watched MOTD back over again this morning and I think Darlow has a good game too – made some really good saves imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So the club want to talk about a new contract with Rafa. Jesus Christ! How long will it take until Rafa tells them to F off!
Stuart79(Quote)
aye mate i put that on before,maybe he wants to keep him because of Amanda might come back?
icedog(Quote)
Get him signed up I say. I know our league position isn’t great at the mo, but I don’t think you can blame that all on Rafa. I think we’ve had worse managers, so give him a bit longer to see what he can do I say ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
keep Rafa for relegation fights year after year? No thanks.
funrafa(Quote)
will be gobsmacked if he signs extension tbh.
kimtoon(Quote)
I admit it’s unlikely, but who saw him sticking round for the Championship?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree the lads worked hard yesterday and let’s face it Man City are outstanding. However I just wish our players would try to calm down a little when on the ball instead of booting it anywhere. I know easier said than done especially against a team like City but I would like to see us play the ball out (and forward) from the back. I think we miss Mbemba who always seems calm on the ball. I wonder if he will get a game against Chelsea in the cup given we have a match the following Wednesday.
Groucho(Quote)
Watching Spurs at the moment… OMFG how the hell did we manage to get £30 million out of them for Sissoko…? What a **** player he is.
Saints playing well and very lucky with the first goal… they need to lose though. ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Some of the lower clubs are starting to get points against top teams. We’re going to need to do that too I think. But worrying when you consider we have to play Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool yet.
Stuart79(Quote)
Whisper Amanda might look to buy Leeds
Icedog(Quote)
I can see that. It will be easier than buying from Ashley.
funrafa(Quote)
Oh that would perfectly sum up Jabba’s era. Watching Leeds overtaking is because of Amanda.
Stuart79(Quote)
And I could see them take Rafa to Leeds too.
kimtoon(Quote)
Times reporting that Rafa’s first choice striker will cost £20m. ???
Stuart79(Quote)
RIP Jimmy Armfield , always enjoyed his radio commentary on 5live. Sad day for Blackpool 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
Indeed. My thoughts as well
Premandup(Quote)
Quite staggering that we are now linked to signing a striker that would break our transfer record. Anyone remember the Sadio Berahino debacle…?
Stuart79(Quote)
Is that the 1 goal in 4 years Berahino? Surely they wouldn’t be that daft. Besides his price must have plummeted by now. I wouldn’t have him on a free.
georgio(Quote)
Looks like Palmeiri actually going to Chelsea so we should get Kenedy in. Is anyone as puzzled as me to see Merino being left out?
georgio(Quote)
Lee Ryder is the reliable source, Eric’s no.1 reporter so there must be some truth in the record signing.
Terry(Quote)
Have you ever had a bad back? It is a bloody nightmare and often you can reinjure it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is restricted in training and you know how much Rafa relies on training. I have no direct information but that would be my guess.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just checked out the table and there are 4 points separating Watford in 10th and Southampton in 18th. It really could boil down to goal difference. Has that ever happened? The so called experts will look rather stupid after their comments when we played Man City at home. Stoke are on minus 25 and City put 7 past them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And do you know that we have only taken 1 point from teams in the top half?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
NEW THREAD!
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2018/01/22/the-cost-of-a-goal-in-the-premier-league-my-theory-behind-nufcs-search-for-a-proven-striker/
By our very own Dubai Toon – feel free to email me at [email protected] if you ever fancy having an article of your own put up on the main page!
Cheers
Olly Hawkins(Quote)