Newcastle’s hunt for European football will go to the wire after a hugely frustrating evening at Old Trafford ended in a loss.
Goals from Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo either side of a strike from Anthony Gordon gave a cushion to Man U. Rasmus Hojlund looked to have put the game beyond doubt before Lewis Hall gave some late hope to the Toon with another great strike.
It was a painful watch yet a game we could’ve easily won on another night. We defended so poorly for all three of their goals, missed countless big chances, hit the woodwork several times, struggled with our final ball and were denied a blatant first half penalty. It was the perfect storm and so, so frustrating to lose like that to such a poor Man Utd side who’d won one of their last eight heading into this. However, this has been the story of our season on the road, sadly.
With Chelsea winning 2-1 at Brighton on a damaging night for Eddie Howe’s Mags, the Toon must now win their last game of the season at Brentford to qualify for Europe next season. Sixth is now out of our hands and we’ll only qualify for the Europa Conference League in 7th if we match or better Man Utd’s results on the final day AND see Man City win the FA Cup.
We’ve been on a good run over the past few months in typically tough circumstances, but Europa League football was in our hands and it feels like we’ve just thrown it away, barring a big swing on the final day.
Eddie Howe made one change to the team that was held by Brighton, with an injured Tino Livramento replaced by Kieran Trippier, meaning Nick Pope, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron remained on a bench featuring the fit-again Fabian Schar.
The game had a tensity to it that was to be expected of an end-of-season clash with something to play for. But for the majority of the opening periods Newcastle could not find the right pass to unlock the Man U defence and the Red Devils were able to counter with a proficiency that was missing from our game.
After 30 minutes the ball found its way to ex-Mackem Amad Diallo whose ball was flicked on by Bruno Fernandes and poor positioning from our back four, Trippier in particular, gave Mainoo acres of space. The teenager looked shocked to have the ball in the box with so much space and slotted it past Martin Dubravka.
We responded with a handful of chances and were denied a goal by millimetres when Casemiro hooked Dan Burn’s header off the line. Before that, VAR ignored a blatant penalty after Sofyan Amrabat raked down Anthony Gordon’s Achilles. It’s no wonder clubs want to abolish VAR if they can’t see that was a foul!
Do you think this is a penalty on Anthony Gordon? 🤔
Wayne Rooney shares his views on the challenge 🗣 pic.twitter.com/0YTwZazKpR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2024
The second half started much brighter for Howe’s Mags, as we have come to be accustomed with in recent weeks. It didn’t take long for the game to be back on level pegging after Alexander Isak got on the end of a loose ball and fed Jacob Murphy on the right. Murphy’s ball to Gordon was brilliant and our number 10 prodded it home.
We continued to push and looked more composed, but as with the first half, missed chances and a moment of poor defending looked to have cost us.
A Man U corner found its way to Amad on the edge of the box and the former Sunderland man rifled it past Dubravka giving the advantage back to the reds. And this allowed them to come into the game more as we retreated from being on the front foot.
Howe looked to the bench, bringing on Joelinton, Miggy Almiron and Fabian Schar to try and tighten up the middle of the pitch.
Joelinton fashioned two wonderful chances midway through the half, picking out Sean Longstaff who really should have scored as his hug one-vs-one opportunity was hit straight at Onana. Moments later the big Brazilian went agonisingly close himself, forcing a fine save with a powerful header.
In the 73rd minute we went close again as Gordon jinked down the left and left Casemiro in the dust. His strike fizzed wide while Almiron flung himself into the net trying to get any kind of contact on the ball. Painfully close but no cigar, once again.
It felt like a game that Newcastle had the chances to win. But as we have seen so many times this season, individual mistakes are so costly at this level and we saw so many of them at both ends tonight,
We moved to a 4-4-2 in the final 15 minutes as Harvey Barnes came on for Longstaff and Gordon moved up top with Isak. But again our chances lacked bite and we did not make any of them pay.
It left us vulnerable to the counter and Fernandes found substitute Hojlund whose strike went under Dubravka’s arms into the far corner to make it 3-1.
It seemed to be fizzling out to a frustrating result, but in stoppage time Lewis Hall picked up the ball on the edge of the box and hit a brilliant strike into the far corner. It was even better than his last goal at Old Trafford. But it meant nothing ultimately as the game petered out without us creating another chance.
With Chelsea winning, it means Newcastle need to win against Brentford on Sunday and hope that City win the FA Cup to secure Conference League football next season. Absolutely gutted. Let’s hope things go our way this weekend.
Old Trafford is stunned! 😨
Lewis Hall, take a BOW! 👏 pic.twitter.com/RI1ARCkFDc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2024
It was ours for the taking and we threw it away. We don’t deserve Europe next season.
Many will use the safe & easy excuse of injuries – and whilst they can’t be ignored, it lets poor performances from both players & Howe off the hook.
We had a 3 on 1 that Isak fluffed. Longstaff fluffed his 1 on 1 and Miggy should have scored at the back post when Gordon fired it across – 2 massive chances & 1 more than half chance.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Poor, poor, poor.
Timid from the start, terrible defensively and poor finishing.
The lack of player quality can only be compensated for by working as a team and too many were missing tonight
They’ve had a psychology expert since Jan. I hope he’s working on self belief coz they never looked like they believed tonight
getreal(Quote)
Terrible performance tonight. We deserved to lose. We’re better off not being in Europe with the way we are playing.
Geordie(Quote)
Nothing changes.
Kiddafromthetoon(Quote)
We missed chances , never got the pen and gave them too much time and space on the ball. Closed them down better second half but overall a disappointment with the chance to get European footie up for grabs.
kimtoon(Quote)
I’ve said it before on here and I know it’s not everyone’s view but if we can make Europa then I’d take that – but this conference league, I’d rather miss out & focus on the league next season.
I think European football next season will be tougher to achieve again with Man Utd & Chelsea getting stronger (I suspect).
I absolutely want European football back at SJP – but am I really that bother about us playing the team that finished 3rd in the Romanian league on a Thursday night?!.
I think the likes of Gordon, Bruno & Isak are committed at the mo as they know what we are trying to build – and that’s not Conference League. I think if we are playing in that competition next season, the demands of that may well mean we are competing for 6-8 again next season.
Without it and I think we are competing 3-6.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thing is SHARPY it’s all about money mate
Icedog(Quote)
Is our final game televised by any chance? Anyone know?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Only one I know is Bein sports
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – that’s a fair point, and not one I’d really considered – but actually probably favours my point.
There’s around 1.5-2m per league position I believe – so finishing 7th this season rather than 8th would get Conference league & an extra £2m let’s say – but I think it’s fair to assume the conference league will take its toll next season.
My argument is yes we miss out on £2m this season & conference football – but in doing so, I think that gives us better chance of finishing – let’s say as low as 5th or 6th next season. So we make that £2m back from this season & a bit more – but more importantly we make Europa & im sure there is more money in that over conference – there’s certainly better teams to play.
It also gives us this summer & next to improve the depth to our squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Advocating .. Not competing in Europe 🙄
We know the toon can get top 4 coz they’ve done it. We don’t know they can get top 4 and compete in Europe. How will we ever know if we keep avoiding it.?
I enjoy watching the top class players at the toon but it’s the club I love not them, so if they aren’t fulfilled and want to move then thanks for the memories and goodbye, coz the club will keep getting better with or without them
Get in the ring, take a punch in the mouth and figure how to deal with it. Oh and enjoy it while it’s happening. otherwise what’s the point?
getreal(Quote)
Conference league is a chance of silverware we are absolutely desperate for
Coutts86(Quote)
Playin in europe a handful of times in 20 years now ppl sayin the dont want it. I obviously want europa league more but europe is europe. Fans will love it. Goin to countrys never normally would to watch them. Europe is europe, bring enforcements in and challenge for top 4 and 3 cups
Coutts86(Quote)
WHU won less than £2m for winning the conference league – they had to qualify by beating a Danish side called Viborg – heard of them?
What about FCSB? – they are from Romanian just to help you out
How about Silkeborg – no?! But the Borg gave it away didn’t it – yip Danish again.
AEK Larnaca – I know that one, I’ve holidayed in Cyprus.
But I don’t imagine any of these teams are who Isak, Bruno or Gordon joined us to play against. I can’t get inspired by the thought of playing these teams on a Thursday night to then play PL on Sunday.
The conference league adds around 16 extra games to our season as well by the way – and you get £2m for winning it!! It probably cost money to playing in it with the travel expenses and the likes.
But if you disagree with me you’re entitled to your opinion obviously.
If anyone can name 1 player from any of the teams I’ve mentioned without looking them up though, your love of European football runs far deeper than mine.
Sharpy17(Quote)
My apologies, it was £2m reaching the semi finals – it was £15m for winning the final. Still not convinced.
Sharpy17(Quote)
But if we can win it Sharpy, it’s a trophy and we get that monkey off our back for the future. We’ve been without silverware for way too long. I’d much rather it was Europa league or CL but it’s still an opportunity for a trophy. If West Ham can win it, so can we. 🤷🏻♂️. Anyway, it’s out of our hands now. Just win our last game and see how the dice roll.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What’s to say we win it just coz we qualify for the competition?!.
Like I say, it was around 16 extra games added to WH season with flights to all over the place – and the teams in the competition are places that have international airports on their doorstep – it’s a flight to Romanian then a few hours drive to some of these places.
The Carabao & FA cups are silverware as well – they are only about 8 extra games & all the travelling is in the UK.
I’d rather keep the players fresh, concentrate on the league & push for one of those pieces of silverware personally.
Liverpool are a prime example this season of what I mean. Them in the Europa league were probably most people’s nailed on winners – but the further the season went on the greater the demand it’s taken on their players & resulted in them dropping out the title race.
We are not going for the title yet, and a lot of the teams Liverpool were playing were Spanish, Italian, German bigger clubs – less travelling, but still an extra 15 games a season.
However, strengthening this summer & only having the league & 2 cups to go after – then strengthen again the following summer & we then have a squad that looks a lot stronger to cope with those extra games.
That’s just my thoughts on it though, and I get people will disagree. I don’t see it as a lack of ambition, it’s 1 step back for 2 forward in my mind.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy it’s simple. We are away to Brentford on Sunday. We play to win. If we don’t play to win we are a disgrace to the league and as fans we should hold our heads in shame. Whether that brings Europe or not is irrelevant.
What are you advocating, play to lose?
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – Chelsea selling their own training ground to themselves is a disgrace. The Premier League still not punishing City and Chelsea for breach of financial rules is a disgrace. The countless F ups by VAR this season is a disgrace – prioritising what competitions are important to you is something that every team does.
I’ve grown up watching the likes of Man Utd & Arsenal playing youth teams in cup games for years.
Getting our squad in order so we are stronger & better prepared for these competitions is more important imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So we play the kids tomorrow
PremAndUp(Quote)
Well we’ve played first teams all season & have one of the worse away records in the league, so they probably do a better job anyway 🤷🏼♂️😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
could well be true
PremAndUp(Quote)
I guess in answer to your question mate I’m advocating thinking beyond just Sundays game – however that is interpreted, I’ve tried to explain it as best I can 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I might agree with the logic being presented. A discussion on what would be best for the club going forward. However, my point is that that should not influence the players and the manager setting the team up. Setting up to lose is not acceptable. If there was nothing at stake then giving experience to younger players would be a sensible move.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – when I was making my argument, the idea of throwing the game genuinely never crossed my mind. But now you have said it, I don’t really know how we guarantee what I’m suggesting any other way – and that doesn’t sit comfortably, so I’m torn now 🤔🤯
Sharpy17(Quote)
Play to win, what will be will be.
kimtoon(Quote)
We have to play to win the final game. Every fan that paid their money to travel down deserves the team to try their best to win the game. Re Europe, 🤷🏻♂️… what will be will be. The Chelsea and Man united game results are out of our hands.
Gilly Toon(Quote)