A much improved display and a result we well and truly deserved, with Joe Willock’s 85th minute goal earning us a 2-2 draw against Tottenham at St James’ Park.
Joelinton’s first half strike gave us an initial lead, but two Harry Kane goals before the break left us chasing a game we were the better side in for large parts.
However, we didn’t give up, showed the sort of fight and spirit we had none of at Brighton and were rewarded for that with five minutes on the clock as Willock smashed home via the crossbar.
The result leaves us three points above Fulham ahead of their 4.30pm kick off at Aston Villa. Their superior goal difference means they’ll leapfrog us in the table should they pull off a surprise win – although an away victory is entirely possible now Jack Grealish has missed out at the 11th hour.
Nevertheless, this was at least a performance to give us a glimmer of hope. It makes you wonder just why we failed to turn up at Brighton a fortnight ago and was a game we actually could have won if it wasn’t for bad defending and a few missed chances, but it’s a big point and much more like it.
With our 17 shots inside the area being our highest in a Premier League game under Steve Bruce, there was sign of improvement – despite the initial reaction to our starting 11 being one of frustration and bemusement!
Out went Clark, Manquillo, Willock, Hayden (injured) and Fraser and in came Krafth, Ritchie, Murphy, Sean Longstaff and Gayle, as Saint-Maximin’s was forced to settle for a place on the bench after recovering from a groin injury.
Bruce also moved back to a five-man defence and made some surprise calls in doing so, with Krafth playing as a centre-back and Shelvey keeping his place ahead of Willock in a midfield that lacked mobility. That being said, some of the changes a treat and it was a performance that left most pleasantly surprised, with Ritchie, Murphy and Sean Longstaff all justifying their inclusions with strong displays.
Carroll picked up a ‘niggle’ to rule him out of the squad and Wilson’s absence was anticipated, however it was odd to see both Fraser and Fernandez left out –
The first half was a frustrating affair to put it mildly.
We started OK and were visibly encouraged by the fact Spurs’ defence looked so shaky, with them there to be got at down the flanks and leaving huge gaps between centre-back and midfield. Joelinton’s movement was stretching them, Gayle was a pest and Muprhy was having real joy whenever he got at Reguillon.
He then produced the first big moment of the match, whipping in a brilliant ball for Gayle. The striker’s header was well saved by Lloris, however his follow up attempt was smothered by the Frenchman. He had to score – but it wasn’t long until we were in front.
After Ritchie’s pressing charged down a Sanchez clearance, Longstaff latched onto the ball in the box. I initially expected him to shoot, but he got his head up and played a brilliant first time pass into Joelinton. The Brazilian let the ball come across his body and buried it into the bottom corner. 1-0 Newcastle and it was well deserved!
It was highlighted before the game that we’d only been ahead for 360 minutes this season, and we only extended that to 361 here as Spurs equalised in horrible fashion just 26 seconds after the restart as Krafth’s awful attempt at a clearance bounce off Kane and allowed the England striker to tap in.
1-1 and an abysmal goal to concede, leaving NUFC fans sat on their sofa with head in hands.
Sadly, it got worst just four minutes later. Kane was slipped in down the right hand side and a right-footed shot flew into the far corner past Dubravka. Gutting.
Yes it was a million miles better than the absolute collapse at Brighton, however it felt pretty damning that we took the lead and played ok, yet went into the break 1-2 down.
That said, Spurs were clearly there to be got at and there was no reason why we couldn’t get a result if they continued to look a soft touch at the back.
The second half kicked off and South Korean star Son came on for the visitors. We started on the front foot, however, with Almiron having a curling effort tipped wide by Lloris.
The Paraguayan was then involved at the other end midway through the final 45. A Spurs corner was met powerfully be Sanchez and looked destined to make it 1-3, only for Almiron to head off the line to keep us in it. A fortunate escape but the lifeline our lively display deserved.
A matter of minutes later, a huge chance to draw level was spurned by Joelinton. Krafth’s cross was a good one and our £40m man took the ball down well, but his side foot effort flashed wide.
Allan Saint-Maximin entered the field seconds later, but It felt like that was our moment to get back into the game gone.
Moments after Harry Kane away free on the counter and slid a shot off the near post and out, we broke down the other end and got exactly what we deserved. Ritchie hung a ball up to the far post, Joelinton did brilliantly to nod it back across goal, Almiron’s effort was partially blocked and Willock arrived to smash the ball off the underside of the crossbar and in!
The 5-3-2 formation worked surprisingly well. Murphy was a menace all game from right wing-back, with his pace, directness and tempting deliveries causing problems. Ritchie also gave us an outlet down the left and picked out several good balls down the line, benefiting from some lively movement from Joelinton and Gayle. Sean Longstaff also added a bit of bite to the midfield. Some tired passes threatened to let him down, however it was a display that proves exactly why he should always start over a Hendrick.
Credit must also go to Joelinton for one of his best all round displays in a black and white shirt. A goal, a key role in the equaliser, some clever link up play, several good runs into the channels and signs that he’s learning how to use his body to get between man and ball meant he was a constant thorn in Spurs’ side.
A big point and much improved performance – although we may be left wishing we picked up all three should Fulham beat an Aston Villa side still without Jack Grealish.
Next up, a relegation six-pointer at Burnley next Sunday.
13 mins. Villa are **** without Grealish. He is a cheat but he is also a bloody good player.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And I am going to repeat. In the post match Sky interview Bruce was playing the victim. He called what the fans and/or journos have been saying “nonsense”. Are we supposed to be happy after 2 wins in 21 games. We got a draw FFS, it is not like we beat Spurs 7-1.
It was a much better performance but they have been few and far between you cabbage.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bruce should just talk about the game. He does not have a leg to stand on playing the victim. I hope someone on this or another blog will post his after match interview. It is like the last 6 months never happened and he didnt lose 11 of the last 23 games.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sorry, it is 11 losses in 21. That is an over 50% loss record and the cabbage plays the victim.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
If donkey played like that every week I could put up with his misses. Every striker misses a few.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can’t agree with Ollys scoring today like. Kraft 3 and Dummett 6 – Dummett was mainly at fault for both goals imo. Kraft was great and should have put his boot through it for their first, but Dummett certainly wasn’t twice as good as him today.
Think Gayles scoring was generous too. He’d have got a 4 from me – missed a sitter & played an awful pass for Miggy.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Trying to look at this as glass half full, I dont think Brighton are out of this yet. They dont play us every week after all. Let’s see what happens at Man U.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bloody hell, it had to be Mitro.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
???? Mitrovic
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s one of the problems I’ve always had with Rafa – we never should have sold him!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
If we are in the last relegation spot today it should shut the fat fck up talking about the fans an their “nonsense” as he did on Sky.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: Villa are **** without Grealish so I do not expect much. 65 mins. So there is still time.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bruce was almost smug on that Sky interview. A win for Fulham should bring him back down to earth even though I think we will beat Burnley.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Thank F for that
Sharpy17(Quote)
I can’t believe I’ve just celebrated a Villa goal ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
That was a quick turn around. Keep it up Villa 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy: I think even Kimtoon will be pleased 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
… and again ?. Trezeguet has just become my favourite Villa player though ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dodged a bullet there. Shows Fulham’s defense is still ****.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I can just hear His Royal Smugness repeating to all who will listen – it is about the accumulation of points. Of course it is, we all know that. That is how a league works.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That was a weird game. Fulham seemed to have it under control and then folded like they were NUFC playing Brighton.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Champion, howay Man Utd, your turn ??????
Sharpy17(Quote)
We have to beat Burnley.
Fulham are home to Wolves next which they could easily lose. Then they have Arsenal and Chelsea. We need a 6 point cushion.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Not getting ahead of myself but if we beat Burnley we are only 1 point behind them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – with about 13 games to play I identified 5 of them were against teams around us, in the bottom 6 or 7 – Burnley being one of them.
Burnley, Sheff Utd and Fulham are still 3 remaining games we should be all out for. But then WBA and Brighton were the other 2 of the 5 and look what happened there.
We have some difficult fixtures ahead, but Bruce had games there that were/are winnable if we 1. set up correctly for them, and 2. the players had been motivated for them. He would have no excuse if we go down – especially as I’m only talking about the last 13 games – I could talk about the performances and dropped points before that too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Bruce’s press conference where he said people (he didnt say who) had been talking “nonsense”. After Brighton what did he think people would say. It was a surrender, a capitulation. How could he not see that fans and others (journos) would think he had lost the dressing room after that and 2 wins in 20.
Now after a decent performance, but still just a draw, he is on the attack. He is a petty and vindictive man who really doesnt have a clue.
We have a much better squad than Fulham and that might save us. It will be DESPITE Bruce, the Steves and Jones, not BECAUSE of them.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/inside-steve-bruces-press-conference-20320957
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – it’s as good as I’ve seen us play in a LONG LONG time he says … but people have been talking nonsense ??♂️.
The bloke is a fool – but the draw & Fulham lose buys him another week
Sharpy17(Quote)
Brighton are a proper football team!!.
They are really enjoyable to watch & play some really good football.
They fear nobody. They play their own game & don’t try to out think or change their game plan for anyone.
It’s a joy to watch – and their team cost very little – probably less than ours. Graham Potter deserves a lot of credit & if he’s backed with a goal scorer next season they won’t be battling relegation in my opinion.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh god I’m celebrating Man Utd goals now!! ?.
I will never forgive Bruce for doing this to me!! First Villa, now Man Utd – it’s like that scene in crying game ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Watching Brighton, it’s difficult to understand how they are in the position they’re in. They play really well. We need manure to win here though…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I know exactly what you mean… cannot believe I’m actually wanting villa and manure to win… ???
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Brighton robbed of a pen there imo. Anywhere else on the pitch & he gives a foul for that – including if that was a Brighton player on a Man Utd forward.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy and Gilly: you are giving Brighton too much credit. They have a pattern except against us. They start off strong but as the game goes on they get worn down, and they miss many, many chances every week. I have watched quite a lot of their games and this is the reason they are where they are.
If we hadnt given them 6 points they would be down where Fulham are.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Imagine if that was Dunk on Fernadez? I think Mike Dean would have given them 2 penalties for the 1 foul just to make sure.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And Sharpy: I just cannot believe that Bruce is playing the victim card. He has some brass neck.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I’d swap their brand of football for ours tomorrow. I enjoy watching them play and as I said in my last post – if he had a goalscorer to convert those chances I think they would have won more games.
If they had a Wilson or Ings for example.
Sharpy17(Quote)
VAR wouldn’t have even reviewed it – it would have been given without question. I’ve seen it afew times back & im sure it was a penalty – maybe a red card if it’s seen Maguire stopped a goal scoring opportunity.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I can’t believe you can’t believe it!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
They would be top half.
I cant believe West Ham are where they are. If they win today they will be top 4. Moyes has changed his style and they are a much more pressing team. Still think they are beatable and their position flatters them. If we had a decent manager who did tactics I would feel confident about Burnley and West Ham.
After Bruce playing awful football all year and us being 4th bottom Bruce still thinks that it is injuries that are to blame and the fans are being hyper-critical. I am pretty sure he also thinks it is keyboard warriors even after the Chronical survey. Those 14,000 will be a lot of the hardcore fans who have stuck with the team through think and thin. They take the time to read about the team and to fill in the survey. They are not doing it out of spite, they genuinely believe he is a **** manager and should go. His record proves it, not only at NUFC but at all his PL clubs. It has been said many times, but if those fans were at the ground he would be shouted down and would not be able to show his face outside the dugout. Then he would see if it was “nonsense” or not.
Honestly, you would have thought we had battered Spurs and were 8th the way Bruce was acting in his after match interview. His body language as much as what he said.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And if we are going to play Joelinton, and it seems we are, we need to see much more of what we saw today. His stats dont lie either. He has 2 PL goals. But even I will get behind him if he can somehow turn it around and not make me feel that we are playing with 10 men most weeks. We need 11 on the pitch to avoid relegation.
I doubt Supermac will change his mind though. He is on Wraith’s show on Thurs and I think he called Donkey the worst forward in PL history and not even good enough for League 1.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Seen some stories in The Chronic about people going to beauty spots, parks and beaches and leaving their rubbish. I know lockdown has been hard but what is with these people? How hard can it be to take a bin bag with you? They are comparing it to pop festivals but they last for days, people camp and they are notorious for not having enough bins or even toilets.
I dont think I am being a moany old man, I think these people are totally inconsiderate. The parks etc have to get volunteers to clean up after them.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have been to many outdoor concerts in Chicago. There is a massive one that called Lalapalooza that gets hundreds of thousands of people over 4 days with about 10 stages. It is usually alternative bands with headliners of the old school like The Red Hot Chili Peppers or Radiohead. What I am saying is that the demographic skews young. And yet, if someone was leaving rubbish they would be confronted by the other fans.
So, what is wrong with these people in the UK?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well i was stuck on the last thread watching the Villa match, wondered why no one was on there talking about it. Forgot Olly puts up a post match thread, doh.
Can’t believe how quickly Fulham collapsed after villa equalized, maybe they are feeling the pressure. They play on friday and if they win or draw that’s us in the bottom 3 going into our game v Burnley, will that have an effect on our players, will the nerves get the better?
We do tend to have a **** display after a good one so who knows, Burnley are a difficult side to face and we’ll need Wilson if possible.
Thought Joe actually did well yesterday but Murphy was very good and Ritchie too. Bit concerned about Dubs though, looks a bit off since his return, doesn’t get down quick enough .
kimtoon(Quote)
Krap was at fault for the first goal. He’s just not very good.
Villa need to win if they’re getting ahead of us . . . they’ve had 3 chances now to get out of the bottom 3 and they’ve blown the lot. The two they won can now be seen as a blip.
The donkey scored a goal (wow!) but missed two sitters. Highlights of his life.
Beat burnley and we’ll survive.
georgio(Quote)
Kimtoon: Fulham need a win to go above us.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think we have enough to beat Burnley if Wilson is fit. If he is not fit we must play Gayle, none of this split strikers and false 10s lark. Dwight didnt have his best game but I think he created space for Joelinton and Miggy helps out in that regard as well.
If we are going to play Donkey, and Bruce looks like he is intent on doing so, we have to help him out and play a formation that will bring him into the game. He will still scuff shots and miss chances but the ball hasnt bounced off him as much recently. Maybe one of the coaches has been explaining how to trap a ball?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bruce is hilarious. In his latest interview he is complaining that people are saying there is a “so-called mole in the dressing room”. He the one who fcn said it and said he would seek him out. He is the one that banned Craig Hope for getting info from his mole. Now he is saying these stories are made up. HE IS THE ONE THAT SAID IT!!!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I will say it again for the fraud to hear. He is the one that brought up “the mole” in the first place and said he was going to track him down. Now he is acting like it was fans and journalists who were talking about a mole. He banned Craig Hope for relaying information from a mole. Now he says it is a “so-called mole”. Mole was his word FFS. The fraud acts like none of us have a memory. That may be true of Lee Ryder, but I certainly do.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yeah, my mistake
kimtoon(Quote)
I still dont get this. James just scored for Everton and looked up at the sky and pointed fingers up there to what I assume was God’s help in him scoring a goal. Why dont they point at the ground and say the devil made them do it when they miss an easy chance?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
A motivated & confident Jesse Lingard is a very good footballer. Forget his little hand gestures or social media stuff – on a football pitch he is very good.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: it was obvious he didnt have his head right at Man U for a couple of years. He was good for a while and then ****. It must have been off field distractions. Probably wanted to be like Pogba.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I think it’s as simple as being played regularly & being trusted & allowed to play with a bit of freedom. At Man Utd I think he’s asked to play a different way, do more of the ugly stuff so the champagne players can do their thing – where at WHU he’s the champagne player and has players around him doing the ugly stuff.
I don’t think he’s as good as some of the players at Man Utd, but he’s certainly proving how good he is at WHU.
It will be interesting to see his level of ambition in the summer. Does he want to stay in the shadows at Man Utd, or will he push for a move now he’s getting more headlines at a lesser club.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If Lingard has sense he will move because Fernandez plays in his position and is better. But JLingz is proving he is a decent player that had a few bad hangers on leading him astray.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Interesting link with Palotta coming up again. I heard a long interview with him when he was at Roma. I liked him despite his search for more investors now. Far far better than Ashley.
georgio(Quote)
but he only has 1billion jabba has 6 billion ❓ ❓
icedog(Quote)
That’s why he’s looking for investors
georgio(Quote)
Must be time for season ticket renewals .
kimtoon(Quote)
press don’t help reporting all this bollix, just winds fans up.
First we’ll know we’re sold will be when it’s on the yellow banner on SSN, any links or *** bits before that are just a load of press noise and irresponsible reporting/gossip.
kimtoon(Quote)
The fact they are handing Gayle, Murphy & Fede new contracts suggests there is no takeover happening any time soon Im afraid … and if we stay up, there’s rumour someone else is in line for a new contract too ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
i think you could be wrong mate,jabba doesnt spend money for nowt
icedog(Quote)
Would he happen to frequent Greggs 15 times a week, have a bent nose and hire coaches based purely on the fact they have the same first name as him? Jones doesnt count because that was Charnley and Carr above his head.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – he’s not mate. By that I mean it would cost him a lot more to replace these players – I’m pretty sure Gayle is taking a pay cut as well.
Their contract are up so he wouldn’t get a fee for any of them – to replace them he’d be shelling out around £20-30m.
Sharpy17(Quote)
???♂️?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’ve been donating to charities in Gateshead (currently about 5000 quid). Been doing that for about 20 years now. I’d forgotten all about it.
This latest 1892 Pledge reminded me that I haven’t increased my charity funds for ages, so I’ve matched the Gateshead amount as an annual donation to NUST.
New car, caviar, 4-star day dream …
Lol
Brisvegas(Quote)
I am not sure if I can even attempt to pick the team for Sun. Good luck Olly. Will it be 4 or 5 at the back? Wilson? Murphy had a good game so that means he will probably be dropped. Thank goodness we have moved on from the 2 false 10s and split strikers, whatever that meant.
I am certain that Brucie will stick with Shelvey, Lascelles, Dubs, Dummett, Almiron and Joelinton. Probably will stick with Sean Longstaff as well. The rest I really dont know.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
good on you mate,top man
icedog(Quote)
i was money on takeovver mate
icedog(Quote)
https://www.themag.co.uk/2021/04/allan-saint-maximin-once-again-shows-real-leadership-and-generosity-with-great-gesture-newcastle-united/
well done son
icedog(Quote)
So sad to see the violence in Ireland.
kimtoon(Quote)
Agree, top lad.
kimtoon(Quote)
He’s the one that was said to be a trouble maker. Seems to have a really good heart.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Lascelles out now. That means Shelvey will be Captain. Undroppable in Bruce’s eyes.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Bruce says Spurs was the best peformance of the season.
No it wasnt, you clown prince.You are pumping yourself up. If you want to give yoruself credit then go for Everton away where we won. We got a draw against Spurs FFS. We let in 2 **** goals. You were a defender. Can you not see the defense (Krafth) let us down?
This man is a dullard.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Fede & Clark back and Lascelles out.
Max & Wilson back as well – so really our starting 11 should be stronger this week.
I’d stick with the back 3 though.
——————- Dubravka ——————
-— Fernandez – Clark – Dummett —-
Murphy —————————-— Ritchie
——— Longstaff -—- Willock ————
——————— Miggy ————————
——- Wilson —————- Saint ———-
I think he’ll play Shelvey instead of Longstaff if I’m honest, but that’s how I’d set up.
Sharpy17(Quote)