WHAT. A. GAME.
A fifth successive Premier League home win and one of the most memorable second halves I’ve witnessed at St James’ Park.
At half time we went in 0-2 down, with Pickford saving a penalty after coming away unpunished following a blatant rugby tackle on Salomon Rondon.
It was looking like one of those days to forget, with the referee giving us nothing and several players underperforming, but the 45 minutes that followed were absolutely magical.
Perez notched two goals and an impressive assist, with Rondon also powering a brilliant volley past Jordan Pickford – although you could argue this was one of two shots that went through ‘England’s number 1’.
It was a game that featured several below par displays, with Schar sloppy, Ki looking off the pace and Yedlin struggling to get close to Bernard and Digne, but heart and determination won the day in the end – something Everton sorely lacked despite all the millions spent
It’s a result that puts us closer to West Ham in 9th than we now are to the drop zone, with the lads showing incredible spirit and determination to topple a Toffees side that folded like a pack of cards from the moment Rondon pulled one back.
Here’s how the table looks after today’s results:
Elsewhere, Cardiff pulled off a huge home win over West Ham, Southampton came from behind to beat Spurs at St Mary’s and Brighton also got a huge 3 points away to Crystal Palace – with all three results emphasising what a massive win this was for us today.
Here’s our next 5 fixtures, with us facing a trip to Bournemouth next Saturday, followed by Arsenal away on the 1st April following the international break:
- Bournemouth (A)
- Arsenal (A)
- Palace (H)
- Leicester (A)
- Southampton (H)
It’s safe to say we’ll all enjoy Match of the Day tonight!
GET THE RAVE ON!
I have been ranting about Pickford being a liability for a while. Glad to be proved right in an NUFC game where we all pay so much more attention. There have to be more questions asked now. That mistake against Liverpool and now this comedy performance.
Ryder says Dubravka made an error for Everton’s second. I think that is very harsh. All he could do was push it out at full stretch and it is anybody’s ball from there. It’s Ryder though so what do you expect.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If any Everton fans think there was an injustice, I checked the stats on The Guardian and we had 17 shots to their 7.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Minor correction. It was 18 shots to 7.
But also it was 8 corners to their 2.
I thought Lee Mason had a shocker and awarded free kicks to the wrong team quite often.
We also gave the ball away ourselves in the first half with Ki looking rusty and the defense a bit hesitant. I thought they edged the 1st half but we killed them in the second. All in all, well deserved.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Brilliant today – what a remarkable comeback from the lads who never stopped or felt they were beaten – even at 0-2 down.
I agree with Eric. Nothing unjustified about that win when you look at the stats of the game – and the reality is they have spent hundreds of millions on players in comparison to us – if they don’t have to steel to see games out that’s on their players and manager – not the ref or our boys.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know Ayoze likes to put his fingers in his ears when he scores to indicate he doesn’t listen to the fans. But if he did – or most of them (coz there will always be haters) he would hear that most of the criticism of him was largely because fans thought he was capable of so much more – that was certainly my feeling towards him.
I am thrilled for him today, I thought he was excellent – and his first was an excellent goal.
He seemed to step up 2nd half of last season too when Kenedy came in and the same has happened with Almiron coming in. Good for him & long may it continue.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: Perez needs some space which Kenedy created last year when there was a big pickup in his form and goals. Kenedy played **** this year and it is no coincidence that with Almiron making runs that Ayoze is much more forward thinking. Rafa often plays him as a spoiler between midfield and attack rather than a number 10, or off the main striker. He looks a better player when he doesn’t have as many defensive duties but sometimes he has to sacrifice and do the job that Rafa wants for the team.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not saying Tim Sherwood is the Oracle but he is saying that Everton should drop the Mouthy Mackem nevermind England. Says he makes some brilliant saves but also some basic errors and doesn’t command his box. I think we all saw that today and his distribution was also terrible.
He has been like that in a few games I have watched but this was the worst. I think the crowd got to him.
I am enjoying this as he is known to be a c@cky little ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Just landed back from India to see the result and by all accounts a very special second half performance.
Is there a better front three in the bottom half of the league?
Imagine what Rafa can achieve with some tools…
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart
the whole game currently being shown on Sky.
You can catch the second half if you can get on now.
sidekick(Quote)
Didn’t notice it at the time but just saw it on MOTD. Loved Hayden’s response while the lads were celebrating the equaliser – he ran over and ushered them back into play to focus on the winner – brilliant attitude from the lad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cardiff will have to be very lucky to survive so I think we are almost OK now. Their remaining games:
Home: Chelsea, Liverpool, Palace
Away: Burnley, City, Brighton, Fulham, Man U
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think Shelvey will start at Bournemouth. Ki was quiet and Jonjo looked fit and played well in his short cameo. The main reason is losing Schar in addition to Longstaff which means that there is room now for Shelvey’s defense splitting passes. I thought we did better today when we went more direct. A lot of our easier passes had gone astray but we shouldn’t give up on that style and should mix it up.
From Jonjo’s comments he had apparently heard some of the complaints from certain idiots that he was now **** (after being injured basically all season and putting a shift in when he wasn’t 100%).
I am still amazed that some fans need to have a scapegoat. Lonstaff does well so Shelvey must be **** and sold according to them. Mostly on The Chronic comments but also quite a few on Eds.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I watched the Spurs/S’ton game and Spurs threw it away. Sir Harrold of Kane missed a couple of easy chances, which is not like him, and then they changed formation on 75 minutes and tried to sit on a 1-0 lead. It probably makes Saints relatively safe now.
The more there are in the relegation mix the better for us so that was a bad result.
Saints fans were giving Spurs stick for stealing their song. Spurs replied that they are Tottenham Hotspur and sing what they want. I hate that song when Spurs sing it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BTW: Ritchie seems to be the latest scapegoat. It was Perez for a while, then Jonjo and now it is Ritchie. Apparently he should never be taking penalties and has always been ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It was a poor penalty and exactly where he placed the last two. I’d let Schar take them. Is he banned for the next two though?
I had trouble believing the second half yesterday. It was surreal. Almiron is getting up to speed and Perez was terrific. There can’t be one centre back who likes playing against Rondon. He’s a real handful. We’ve now got a very good front three. Credit to Shelvey too – he looked a very good player when he came on. More cudos to Rafa though.
georgio(Quote)
I am not sure who the commentators were over here, but I think it was the English feed and the co-com was Scottish. He was pretty matter of fact about the Pickford rugby tackle and thought it should be a yellow. What is the point of him if he doesn’t know the rules.
And what is the point of the 4th official? Really, I don’t know what it is except getting an earful from the Managers. He’s not in charge of timekeeping and can’t influence a decision, so what is his point?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Georgio… am enjoyin watchin newcastle now a hell of lot more than a did earlier in season but perez needs to do it more regularly to be classed very good, Hes a try hard al give him that but for me thats not enough
Coutts(Quote)
Coutts – the kid’s had stick all his career but this last year he’s been much better. Terrific yesterday.
georgio(Quote)
thats fans mate,fickle as hell ime afraid
icedog(Quote)
I read an Everton fan’s comment saying they had picked up 17 points from their last 19 games. Not sure if that is true but Big Fat Sam said yesterday’s loss was all Siva’s fault. He would, wouldn’t he and it is not sour grapes at all 🙂 Still, he has a point.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Amazing lasthalf hour! Obviously gutted longstaff is out for hte season now, but it serves as a reminder as what our other midfielders can do, they were being written off for a while…
Great game for Perez, hopefully fans will lay off him now as he’d become the Simpson, Almiron has enabled both him and Rondon a much freer role, long way it continue!
Newkie(Quote)
Southgate has to have the courage to drop Pickford. He will not be tested in the qualifiers and it will be a tournament where he makes his big mistake. No, I will not give it a rest on the Mouthy Mackem 🙂
I am liking the T-Rex comparisons with his short arms and he is only 6-1 which makes it even worse.
Every team has the blueprint on how to beat him. He is impetuous so you knock a few long balls in and see what happens. Eventually he will fluff one. Then you knock crosses in between the penalty spot and 6 yard box. He doesn’t know what to do with them and often comes and punches. But he is short you see, and can be muscled out.
It is fine being a good shot stopper and good with your feet but if you have glaring weaknesses they will eventually be found out by good coaches.
His temperament has to be questioned as well after yesterday.
Eric mate, that’s enough Pickford FFS 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I see a B’ham fan has ran onto the pitch and sparked Jack Grealish … disgusting stuff – how is that still happening in modern day football.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – got to be Heaton as England no.1 for me like. The impact he had on Burnley coming back in has been huge.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I hope Southgate has the guts to do it. He dropped Rooney. I would not have picked Southgate but he got lucky and basically picked as many Spurs players as he could. Now he has the best group of young players in a generation. Better to be lucky than good! But last time this happened quite a few managers wasted the talent of Shearer, Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes etc.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Brum hard lad sucker punches Grealish. Having a discussion on it on US TV now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And they showed it. Usually they don’t show pitch invaders for fear of encouraging other morons to do this same thing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How are The Chronic still writing stories about Andy Carroll to NUFC? Another one today. It would be like giving a contract to Marceleno or Jack Wilshere. There are just some players who are injury prone.
West ham have found that out and even on an incentivized deal they are still paying Wilshere a fortune.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/adam-johnson-apos-ex-girlfriend-082200793.html
shame
icedog(Quote)
Another fat Ref for Man U/****. Jon Moss and Lee Mason should not be reffing another PL league game until they each lose a stone. I am not fat shaming. I would be happy to have either as my accountant or bus driver because there they don’t have to keep up with play. Unfortunately they have to run many miles in a PL game and they are not up to it. Add the fact that they are useless as well and they should be binned.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Was interesting to see how carragher said Allison was fouled for Burnleys first goal today yet Boly on Dubs apparently wasn’t.
Great comeback yesterday and offside or not we deserved the win, that was karma on that horrible little **** Pickford. He showed a lot of immaturity yesterday to be seriously thought of as Englands number one keeper. Let his feelings towards us overtake his reading of the game silly sod.
Shelvey was excellent when he came on though got booked and as i thought sent some lovely passes to Almiron. I love ritchies work ethic but for three games now he doesn’t seem to want to pass to Miggy preferring to pass back. Anyone got a theory on this, am i missing something obvious .
Oh and how did we not beat West Ham last week, they looked rubbish again yesterday.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: Ritchie seems to see Almiron as making dummy runs to give him space when most of the time he would be better off passing to Miggy. Still early days and I thought Ritchie has done quite well as a left wing back. Remember he has hardly played there and was usually a reverse winger on the right. He made one cutback inside where Almiron was open but he was unlucky and had his shot blocked.
I think there is potential there. They just have to work out each others game.
Of course there is also Dummett who is much more likely to pass so if Ritchie gets too selfish we have an alternative.
We will probably need Dummett as a centre back if Rafa continues to play 3. I hope he does because I really would like to see Shelvey freed of any defensive duties. With Schar and Longstaff out that allows Shelvey to show his full range of passing skills.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly: I have called Pickford a fraud for months. I needed someone to rant about with Rooney and Wilshere off the radar. I didn’t press this one too much as I didn’t want to bore people but now everyone has seen the true Jordan Pickford. It would have been better if it was the late game so everyone could see it unfold but I am sure the Match of the Day highlights will have shown his immaturity and frankly **** goalkeeping.
There really have to be calls from pundits for him to be dropped. Only Tim Sherwood so far.
As I said earlier, he is a mistake waiting to happen and I have no doubt in my mind that he will cost England a big game if he remains in the side.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC it’s amazing how many pundits and fans don’t know the rules on pens I don’t care much for Mason but he was right this time,he can either give a pen or send the player off you cannot get both,that used to be the rule mind don’t know if it’s changed,it was anew rule like
Icedog(Quote)
denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity means double jeopardy doesn’t count so Mason could give a penalty and send him off.
Remember the penalty in the Championship where a player encroached and the Ref gave a free kick to the other side instead of ordering a retake?
Most of the time they do know the rules though and it is just bad judgement and/or big club bias.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It really is a tough job being a Ref though which is why there shouldn’t be any question about your fitness or knowledge of the rules. There is enough to question with judgement calls.
But there is an inherent bias towards big players and big clubs though. It even extends to pundits.
We had Lee Dixon commentating on Man U today and he tied himself in knots explaining how it wasn’t De Gea’s fault he misjudged the shot and that it swerved. Even after 3 replays he was insisting it swerved 2 yards when it hardly moved an inch. BIg club/big player bias. And I like Lee Dixon.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lee Dixson and big Al got on well when the where on together on some shows
Icedog(Quote)
The ref obvious thought Pickford took out Rondon accidentally. That’s the only reason available for a red card not to be given for denying a goalscoring opportunity. It’s not an either/or situation.
And if it was accidental, he should have given a yellow.
Or maybe he didn’t think it was a clear enough goalscoring opportunity.
On any measure, the referee got it wrong.
Brisvegas(Quote)
He was correct to give a penalty, so he knew something had happened.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Bris – it was clear rugby tackle. The ball had gone and Rondon would have scored. Clear red for me.
georgio(Quote)
If he had sent the Mouthy Mackem off though then we wouldn’t have got to see the rest of his comedy routine. I have read most of the match reports and they concentrate on him, and how useless and immature he is, even above the comeback.
He has been found out now and every mistake the SMB makes from now on will be scrutinized. Does that make me happy because he is a Mackem? Not really. It makes me happy because he is a c@cky little **** who should not be England goalkeeper.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
BTW: the Everton fans were ready to turn on him and they have now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Big Al sticks the boot in to Pickford. Not enough for me as he also gives him some love, but he leaves it open for a Shearer hattrick in the return leg. Any more from the Mouthy Mackem and I think we can rely on The Legend to take him out better than a rugby tackle on Rondon.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-legend-alan-shearer-15953857
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know, I know.
I am dwelling. I just don’t like him and don’t think he is very good.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
snap
icedog(Quote)
Zidane to Madrid. Good, as my theory of Poch there and Rafa to Spurs wont happen now.
I thought that it was totally bizarre that Real Madrid were linked with Mourinho. It was like they hadn’t watched any of his teams in the last 3 years or had no access to YouTube to see any of his manic-depressive press conferences.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, Qatar and their state run broadcaster Al Jazeera bribed FIFA for the World Cup. And who owns BEin Sports – Al Jazeera. And who employs Keys and Gray now – BEin Sports.
Not really saying anything except only a corrupt state would continue to employ those two. Big Fat Sam was a guest on their show last week.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Imo Sam has lost the plot some of the **** he came out with
Icedog(Quote)
Agreed – and I think with VAR it would have been a red card. But equally with VAR our 3rd would have been ruled out – maybe it wouldn’t have mattered by then coz who knows how Pickfords red card would have effected the game. Just saying, the ref got it wrong on the red, but also got it wrong on the offside – which worked more in our favour.
Don’t know if it’s been said yet coz it didn’t matter in the end, but what an awful penalty it was ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aren’t all of the Premier League Refs professional and that is their only job. I watched the Champions League last week and the commentators mentioned that the Ref in one game was an Estate Agent and in another the Ref was a Lawyer. They are not full time Refs but are chosen ahead of the English PL full time Refs.
Is there any excuse for Jon Moss being 2 stone over weight and not being able to keep up with the game. Is there any excuse for Lee Mason not knowing the current rules? This is their job and I think they get paid 120k a year to do it.
They should be in good shape physically to keep up, which if you have ever watched Jon Moss he clearly isn’t and they only work 90 minutes a week so they should know the rule book and laws inside and out. Which Lee Mason clearly doesn’t.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I’ve listened to a few newspaper podcasts today and the Telegraph chief sportswriter said of Pickford:
“I have interviewed him a few times and he’s a lovely lad. But, I don’t think I am doing anyone a disservice but he’s not the brightest”.
They also compared him to a child on a sugar rush.
The first statement was echoed on The Guardian podcast.
SO, as we suspected. Jordan is a bit thick.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t think I have ever heard any sportswriter talk about a player and say, in as many words, that he is a bit thick. Gazza was a goon and a bit mad, but was never accused of having a low IQ.
This is new and I have heard it twice today on these podcasts so he must come across as a real dullard.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And, as in life, it is always what comes after the “BUT” that counts. So when the sports writer says he is a lovely lad and says but…
“He is not the brightest”.
Then you know what he really thinks 🙂 He would never put it in writing in the paper but feels he can say it on a podcast. Same on The Guardian. So, Jordan is thick. We suspected, but now the British press are saying it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If there is ‘But’ Eric, the bit before is always a lie.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I was a bit bored yesterday so I watched the match again. The story the commentators and most reports were giving was that Everton bossed the 1st 60 minutes. It wasn’t really like that, in fact, I thought it was pretty even but Everton scored the 2 goals and that is what informed the narrative. We were giving the ball away cheaply though so that is probably what people saw.
The interesting thing was how well we played when we went direct. Before Shelvey came on it was working and then just worked better when Jonjo arrived. I think we can attack Bournemouth in the same way.
I am not advocating Pardew-Allerdyce ball. Just saying we were trying to be a bit clever for periods of the Everton game and looked much more effective when we let our forwards run around a bit.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And in the 2nd half we went 4-3-3.
I wish we would either play this or 3 centre halfs. When we play 4-2-3-1 we leave whoever is the number 9 isolated and it is really boring football unless we go behind.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I wonder who is up next for redemption? We have had Dubravka, Perez and Shelvey. Surely not Joselu 🙂 That really would be a miracle but Easter is coming up.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And I watched that Everton second goal again and there really wasn’t much more Dubravka could do. He got a strong hand on it and Richarlison just happened to be where the ball went. Ryder said it was an error, but I do not agree.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Joselu is just like Hesky, BUT without the goals
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem: is there some psychological theory or explanation for why some people need to scapegoat and moan. I see it with NUFC fans all of the time where they need a villain. Where sometimes they are happier seeing the downside than cheering and supporting. Joselu doesn’t count. Some fans, not on here, wrote off Shelvey and had him sold already. Shelvey saw it and commented on it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am sure Freud must have a word for it. Displacement maybe? Where they are looking to make up for something wrong in their own lives? That’s probably not it but he crazy Austrian probably does have a word for it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, i believe scapegoating is known as displacement in psychology .
The response of humans to feelings of stress, anger, frustration and guilt are often passed onto an individual or group to bring relief to oneself .
Does it work and is it justified t .? probably no
kimtoon(Quote)
Beardsley:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6796963/Ross-Gardner-says-one-Peter-Beardsleys-bullying-victims.html
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Kim definitely no.
There is an idea, which David Gray popularised that the masculine response to problems is, if the can’t be solved to withdraw from them, then solve problems they have no control over, before, if all else fails, asking a friend and doing whatever is advised.
In NUFC terms I have problems with my life, I cant solve them, I’ll solve Rafa’s. The easiest way of solving any problem is to blame others for things going wrong, nd the easiest targets are the players.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Here’s my totally UNinformed take on it.
It seems that it may not have been racism if Beardsley was passive-aggressive to all of the apprentices. Maybe he was coached that way when he was young and thought that was the way to make players stronger. Like the drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket (although Private Pile did end up blowing his own brains out).
Is Craig Gardner looking for someone to blame for his own faults? I don’t know, but there does seem a pattern and our academy has been **** for a long time so maybe Peter had something to do with that?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry, I meant Ross Gardner.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is that the pop singer? I am not familiar with his work. Maybe you could post the lyrics. Was it in Psychology Today or The British Medical Journal?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Looked up David Gray and I have heard a couple of his songs. Glorified elevator music and I didn’t really listen to the lyrics.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Soz Yr right John Gray
PremAndUp(Quote)
Not a new thread, but this is absolutely harrowing….ex-NUFC youngster speaking out about Beardsley.
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2019/03/12/ex-nufc-player-makes-harrowing-peter-beardsley-admission-this-makes-me-sick/
It infuriates me that people STILL defend him because he’s a ‘club legend’ or worse still call the victims ‘snowflakes’. Have this attitude and you’re no better than the club who totally ignored all the complaints all these years ago. Just look at the damage he’s done – not only to our youth system but to the individuals themselves – both from a footballing and mental health perspective.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly: you have to forgive my ignorance but what does calling someone a snowflake mean? Seriously, I don’t know that term.
It seems Beardsley was a bully, perhaps a racist as well. We don’t know we haven’t seen the report. This seems to have gone on under several managers and chairman but who would the players report him to? I really do not see what the FA can do to Beardsley for bullying. His punishment may be that he cannot get another job. The FA can probably fine the club but that would be hard to prove.
There is obviously something there though otherwise Beardsley could sue for unfair dismissal.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can the FA demand to see an internal report? The club are keeping very quiet about it and they know it would only be bad publicity and a fine. Unless the Police were involved I don’t see how the FA can demand the document.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A person who is easily offended / unable to deal with opposing opinions.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
On Olly’s Bournemouth article. I am not sure what the team will be yet but think:
1. with Schar and Longstaff out that is the ideal time to play Shelvey. I just hope we play him 10 yards further up the pitch and not purely as a quarterback. Against Everton he actually showed up in the 6 yard box and almost got on the end of a cross. When he is “quarterback” it means we are playing too defensively.
2. Eddie Howe will target the right side so we need to protect that side. Lascelles is not the man for that as has been shown and is better in the middle. Anyhow, he will probably be saved and given more time to recover over the international break. If we go back 3, I expect Fernandez, Lejeune, Dummett.
3. I expect to see Hayden, again because of the international break. Diame will probably come on for Shelvey in the final 20 minutes if we are not losing. If we are losing it will be Ki for Shelvey.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So:
Dubravka
Fernandez Lejeune Dummett
Manquillo Ritchie
Hayden Shelvey
Perez Rondon Almiron
Eric Sykes(Quote)