Defenders save the day for Newcastle United once again, with us digging deep to beat Bournemouth in a brilliant comeback win at St James’ Park – giving Steve Bruce back-to-backs victories for the first time this season.
It wasn’t pretty at times, with us missing a few BIG chances and dropping deep late on, but it was a performance full of heart, organisation and energy, with every single Newcastle player putting in a shift to topple Eddie Howe’s in-form side.
Not only that, it was another game where we could’ve score 4 or 5. That may reflect badly on our front three – who all played their part today without scoring – but it’s a real positive to see us have 20 (yes TWENTY!) shots at St James’ Park!
Bournemouth dominated possession in the early stages as you would expect, and they made that count early on, meaning any hopes we had of a start like last week quickly evaporated.
Their opener came from an impeccably worked corner straight from the training ground, with Harry Wilson ghosting away from Jetro Willems to latch onto a Ryan Fraser and finish superbly past a helpless Martin Dubravka.
Lascelles was forced off with a concerning knee injury he was unable to shake off and they went close soon after, with Marauding left-back Sergio Rico hitting the bar from a tight angle. It was looking bleak, but we found an answer just when we needed to, being the better side from midway through the first-half up until the break. So much so, there was a 5-minute spell where we had 82% of the ball!
Initially we didn’t make that dominance count. Joelinton was wasteful, with one tame effort, another whacked way over and a few moments where he failed to spot Almiron’s bursting runs into the box. Saint-Maximin should have also scored, smashing a huge chance off the cross bar from six yards out, however our goal arrived just minutes before the break.
It wasn’t any of the front three – who all need a goal BADLY – but from yet another defender, with DeAndre Yedlin narrowly beating the offside trap to head home Saint-Maximin’s deflected shot at the back pot.
The second half was a rollercoaster. I feared we’d sit back and look more interested in protecting a point than taking all three (something we were guilty of against Wolves at times), however we approached this one MUCH better – and credit to Steve Bruce for that.
Thanks to our balance at both ends, we were creating chances, and when one big one fell to Ciaran Clark he didn’t disappoint, with him nudging a Federico Fernandez flick on past Aaron Ramsdale.
Miguel Almiron – who was brilliant both on and off the ball all afternoon – then looked set to score his first goal at St James’ Park, but suffered some rotten luck that sums up his desperate struggle for luck in front of goal this year. OK, far too many of his shots have been rushed or scuffed, but he latched onto the ball after another mazy runs from Allan Saint-Maximin, only for his goal-bound shot to be blocked by the floored Frenchman just a few yards from the net.
Watch the unbearably unlucky moment for the Paraguayan below:
Thankfully we held on, with every player doing their jobs superbly in the closing stages, whether it be chasing back, holding up the ball, winning a vital header or making a key clearance.
We were outstanding defensively, with Fernandez, Clark and Yedlin all putting in superb display – as well as playing key roles in both our goals – but also managed to offer a genuine threat on the counter, with the full-backs bombing on, Jonjo Shelvey picking out the willing Almiron and Saint-Maximin and Joelinton being a handful up top.
Back to backs wins now take us up to 11th, leaving us EIGHT points clear of the bottom three after Southampton fell to yet another defeat at St Mary’s.
Another huge home win and another international break that we head into on a real high.
HWTL!
I thought the lads played really well today.
It was another game were we had little possession, but with 20 shots we made it count. The forwards worked hard and were excellent – if only they could score a bloody goal between them. Can’t fault their effort though and I really feel like when it clicks we could be in for some exciting times – they are the Liverpool front 3 without the goals ?.
Both teams had really good chances today and maybe a month ago – when your luck is out and all is doom and gloom, we loose that game. But when things are going ok & luck is on your side, you get the 3 points.
Well done boys, enjoy the break ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Anyone know why Yedlin didn’t celebrate his goal?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Probabloy waiting for VAR, Sharpy…
Enjoyed the game but it’s not funny anymore when our strikers just keep missing chances. They’re talented players but we know why they’re plying for us and nobody better. It’s because they’re useless in front of goal. Joelinton is worth £10m from what I have saw so far.
Stuart79(Quote)
I was watching the TV last night and realised I see Jesse Lingard more in adverts than I do football matches ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bournemouth played some good football so it was good to come away with a win. Not too impressed with the ref but that was to be expected from the man concerned. In spite of not scoring Joelinton I thought had a good game. Not certain he is an out and out striker but I would like to see him play alongside Gayle.
Groucho(Quote)
Stu – from Bruceys post match interview yesterday it’s clear he’s getting frustrated my it too.
They are very exciting to watch but I expect them to miss now ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Got to say, Saint max is a tricky little minx, he tied them up in knots so many times and really deserved a goal yesterday, Almiron too for that matter . It will come but the waiting is hellish.
kimtoon(Quote)
When they start blocking each other’s efforts it must be written in the stars. Very very committed performances all round. Willems is impressing more and more. Good times could be ahead but I’d still like to see Gayle on for Joe.
georgio(Quote)
I too would like to see Gayle but alongside Joelinton who apart from his misses, was very good yesterday.
Groucho(Quote)
I think of the chances yesterday, ASMs effort off the bar was the most clean cut. Joelinton tried to lob the keeper and I think that was the right thing to try – the keeper just did a good job in closing him down.
Almiron hit ASM but to be fair, the keeper had done a good job keeping ASM out prior to that, and Almiron still had 2 defenders, the keeper and ASM blocking the goal – so it wasn’t an easy chance.
The pass that Almiron makes to ASM in the build up to Yedlins goal is unreal though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well I’ve missed both of our last 2 games as I’ve been in the Philippines for 10 days in a small Village with no wifi and no sports bars… ?. 2 great results but just wish I could’ve seen the games. Seems like our defenders need to play up front! Isn’t Clark our top scorer this season now? I’ve missed the chat and banter, but great results. Up to the heady heights of 11th. Wow! Ahead of Spurs aren’t we? Onwards and upwards! ????
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Dubai – nowt personal mate, but any chance you could move to that village, or at least stay longer next time ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
??? I’d rather not mate, at least not at the moment. Too many of the wife’s family with big expectations… ?
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I know what you mean mate, my wife’s family were the same. It didn’t take me long to crush their dreams ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Im watching the Liverpool v City game and I really think our front 3 could score against this City defence you know ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
You could buy a Caribbean Island with the money Man City have spent on players, yet injuries to their keeper and ONE centre back and the wheel has come off.
Pep had World Class players out there today and he’s twisting about 2 handball incident – they weren’t handballs mate … your defence is just sh!te!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sorry Sharpie, got to disagree, TAA’s was handball. Play should have been called back and a penalty awarded. But this is Anfield. The second was not handball. The sheff utd offside is typical VAR. Changing something that was inappropriate and taking nearly 4 minutes to do so.
PremAndUp(Quote)
If that wasn’t handball yesterday I really don’t know what is these days…
I see the Mexicans are supposedly wanting to buy us yet again… ?
Stuart79(Quote)
Prem – TTAs arm was certainly away from his body, but I don’t think it was in an unnatural position and he didn’t move his hand toward the ball at all. It hit Silva first which changed the direction of the ball toward Arnold which gave him little to no time to move his arm.
I just didn’t feel like it was ‘clear and obvious’. But, all that said, City had more than enough opportunity to stop that first goal.
I was really in favour of VAR coming in, and still think it could be good for the game – but absolutely not the way they are using it now. They have managed to take the entertainment aspect completely out of the game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree about the handball incident in Pool game, and Sheff utd offside was a total joke too. Starting to hate VAR, taking all the spontaneity out the game.
kimtoon(Quote)
Under last seasons rules I would agree, no handball, but since they changed the rules it was. So it should have been a penalty. VAR is not only changing games it is now changing the season..
MOTD Linaker suggested a time limit beyond which it was Refs decision. Cricket has umpires decisions. Instead of leaving everybody in the dark, if the EPL is going to use VAR differently to the International Protocol, which it does why not have a big button by the technical areas if a manager hits it it triggers a big countdown clock on the big screens and the VAR has 15 secs to make a decision on whether to go to review. If so the ref walks to the pitch side monitor which is linked to the big screen, he manipulates it and makes his decision within say 30 secs. It would be a **** sight more entertaining than what we have
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – I didn’t know they had changed the rules to be honest, but if that’s true it makes it more ridiculous because it’s a referee monitoring VAR who should know the new rules better than us fans.
The penalty claims are always going to be difficult because it’s opinion.
But the offsides are a joke!! Measuring from the armpit?! and taking 4 mins to measure it??.
If it’s not obvious – ie 20 secs or so, then favour the attacking player.
Use VAR only for offside, then give each manager 2 reviews a game. He refs the game as normal, but a manager can ask the ref to review an incident on playback if they feel he’s got it wrong. The rest of time VAR keeps out of it.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The offside law really needs to be examined again. It’s not so long ago refs were told to favour the attacker if there was a doubt. Personally I feel it should be like the ball crossing the line for a goal. The attacker needs to have his whole body ahead of the defender, not just his fingernail or big toe.
georgio(Quote)
I see we are being linked with a CF called Samatta – I can hear Joe Dolce ‘shaddap ya face’ ringing round SJP already ???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Apart from being slow and not getting forward with Almiron and Maximin what Samatta with Joelinton being CF ?
sidekick(Quote)
So Lascelles is out in till after Christmas. That’s a blow. He’s one of our top scorers!
Stuart79(Quote)
who is captain in his absence ?
kimtoon(Quote)
A football computer has ranked difficulty of schedule for the season so far. We are 2nd behind only southampton.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy every time I hear Ndidi mentioned there is a echo on my head with Jim Carey saying Yes Indeedy.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I still don’t understand why NUST support away match attendance and boycott home games. Some pathetic nonsense about showing up Ashley on Sky.
Now they are doing a maroon and blue scarf thing. When man u came to Chicago 15 years ago there were more green and gold anti-glazer scarves than red ones. Where are the Glazer’s now? And you could argue they have done a worse job than Ashley despite putting up $1 Billion.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The empty seats hardly get a mention on Sky anyway. Maybe on passing. What do they care anyway. They have no problem with oligarchs and oppressive states owning clubs so why Ashley? NUST actually encourage fans to watch in pubs. More viewers for Sky.
The only thing that might get fatty out is his failure to spot that the high Street really is dead and Amazon is the new king.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The Sunderland chancers are desperate. They have taken a 9 mil loan from a US hedge fund and if they default they lose the club.this means nobody was interested in buying a stake. Donald needs the money for operations an it is promotion or bust.
A number of 40 mil keeps being mentioned as Donald’s cost. He actually paid 6 mil and the balance is the parachute payment he promised Ellis Short. They are Donald Ducked just like the last no league club these chancers owned.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have been calling Stewart Donald a chancers from the beginning. Now he is using this word and denying he is one 🙂
The mackems were fooled because he went on a few fan blog podcasts. I don’t follow them enough to know but I wonder if they are still believing his patter?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
It’s a real shame for Lascelles to be out til the New Year. I feel like he struggled a bit with the 3 at the back initially, but there’s no doubt he’s a big player for us. He probably deserves a lot of credit he’s not got for the way (as captain) he’s kept the players together with all of the madness going on around the club at the start of the season.
I watched England last night & may be bias as a toon fan, but I think he’s every bit as good as Maguire and head and shoulders above Stones.
I think with the English players we have, it’s a disgrace that Southgate ignores them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree on all that Sharpy, i don’t rate Stones at all and Maguire looks like it was a lot of hype based on a few good performances with England at the WC just like Sissoko for France that time and then he got sold for silly money by us, how we laughed.
Total mismatch last night, and harry has now overtaken Shearer in the England goals chart too. Meh.
kimtoon(Quote)
We don’t look at all comfy at the back and will get shown up once we face a decent football country again.
kimtoon(Quote)
I think England’s problems, and especially with the back four, originates in the midfield. There’s no decent holding midfielder. It’s not Winks that’s for sure. Rice is flaky along with Dier. Henderson looks the best bet but he’s slow and never plays there.
georgio(Quote)
Kim – I think it’s that there is nobody in the back 4 taking charge – no leader. If you look at any decent defence there is a voice – City had Kompany – it’s gone to rats since he left. Liverpool have VVD. Leicester have Evans keeping the young Maguire replacement right. Man Utd had vocal CBs, Chelsea had JT and Arsenal at their best had CBs who lead from the back. I think Lascelles does it for us.
They don’t have to be the best player or even best defenders – just understand and read the game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So the new Bayern coach is Here Flick for those who watched Allo Allo years ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Herr Flick (bloody auto correct)
Eric Sykes(Quote)
https://news.sky.com/video/is-this-the-worst-penalty-ever-11863405
Iceedog(Quote)
International week again? Hard to believe no one has anything to say.
yawn yawn
how was your trip home Eric? Did you catch the hot spell?
georgio(Quote)
Still here georgio. Did spend a few days in Scotland. Weather was perfect. My aunt is still in hospital but has made an amazing recovery from a stroke. Spent 2 weeks with my 77 year old mam as she was getting a bit overwhelmed. She is ok now I think but I really did need to come back as everything was falling on her – aunt hasnp kids and other siblings are dead.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Spurs held crisis talks between levy and Poch last week. That’s what happens when you go 400 million over budget on a stadium and pay the players half the going rate. It was always a mirage and they got lucky with a few players. Might shut up the crowing southern journos for a while. Not good in Norf Landon at the mo with Arsenal having no defense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well done Eric! Hope you’re finding some enjoyment too!
Rafa to West ham? That’ll cost a pretty penny. I heard a long interview with him last week and he’s really enjoying China. His club is owned by one of the biggest companies in the world. Won’t happen anytime soon.
georgio(Quote)
Poch sacked! What is happening to football…
Stuart79(Quote)
Bloody hell. That was sooner than I thought.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Now do man u go for Poch?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jose to Spurs. Let’s not forget who levy appointed before Poch. Redknapp, jol, Sherwood among others. Who knows with jose? He has managed to alienate the last 2 sets of players he has managed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That seems to be his speciality these days as well as becoming increasingly grumpy. The Grumpy One should fit right in at Spurs!
georgio(Quote)
Pochettino is well off out of it imo. He has half a squad of players who leave on a free in the summer because Levy won’t pay the wages – much like Arsenal when they built their new stadium.
In that situation you need a manager to develop younger players (they tend to not be on top whack wages yet). They should have sold the players running their contracts down – learn from Arsenal, but they haven’t.
On top of that, they have just hired a manager who buys trophies – he spends big in transfer windows and not always on the right players.
I think Levy should have rode this season out and start again in the summer. I think he’s set the club back with this move.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I could be wrong but I wouldn’t be surprised if Spurs need to finish in the top 4 to pay for that stadium. Every season! There’s so many gambles going on in the PL this season. Poch sacked? Hard to believe with his record.
georgio(Quote)
Jose to Spurs then, that’s gonna be interesting.
kimtoon(Quote)
Got to wait until monday night for our game, meh.
kimtoon(Quote)
Levy tried for a week to make Poch resign but he refused. Good for him. He got 12 mil comp. Levy sees himself as the top negotiator but he had to pay Poch and is losing 5 good players for nothing.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – don’t forget the huge cost because of the stadium delays. It cost an extra £100m or something like that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
not long ago Jose said he would never manage Spurs because of his love of Chelsea,funny how money talks
icedog(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
Man Utd should go for Poch.
Stuart79(Quote)
FUCKk
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think I caught measles or something on the plane. F@ckh.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Scotlnd!!! It takes a few days to incubate. Bloody Alex Ferguson.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I will get a red nose next.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Romero is the sh!test ‘keeper on this plnast.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
PLANET
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t know which London team I dislike more? Spurs or WHam? It is about the Southern press. Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst. THE STADIUM.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
“sacked in the morning”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Decklan Rice is Styte.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Who replaces Pellagrini; Eddie Howe or Rafa
PremAndUp(Quote)
Hope he doesn’t get sacked coz Max Allegri is available.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rafa?
BFS? Again. Moyes, again?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The worst midfield in the world.
NOLAN AND RICE.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I didn’t like the roundabouts going to the A69 from the airport.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah. I dislike WHam more than I dislike Spurs, despite THE STADIUM.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2019/11/23/aston-villa-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups/
Olly Hawkins(Quote)