Frustrating game. The weather suggested it was going to be a slog and that is how it proved.
Thought for the first 40 minutes Newcastle players simply looked like they wanted it more than us. Tiote had his best game in years, he was snapping at the heels of everything and the rest of their team followed suit. Unfortunately Gerrard doesn't have the same bite for that as he once did and Henderson, for all his qualities, shies away against players like that. I have to say I think the formation worked against us. It worked well against the two worst sides in the league but Newcastle, although they have a really average manager undoubtedly have some very good players in the form of Cabaye, Ben Arfa and Remy. These guys knew how to play against our setup- exploit the wide areas and that space just ahead of the defence (Lucas was definitely missed). Their first goal came from the latter when Cabaye let loose on a strike, a lack of closing down allowed it. Of course the majority of strikes from that range aren't going to trouble you but we still shouldn't allow players of his quality the chance. I'm not putting much blame on Mignolet if any, he didn't see it til late and the ball moved more than MJ on the dancefloor.
Yanga-Mbiwa sending off/penalty was a lifeline for us. We didn't really look like bothering them from open play until then. Thankfully Sturridge and Suarez are F***ing brilliant, it was a fabulous pass by Sturridge, great run and first touch by Suarez and made YM need to make a decision- let Suarez score or get sent off and prey that Krul denies Stevie. Congrats to Gerrard for bagging his 100th in the league, surprised he hadn't hit that mark sooner but I guess with his more reserved role these days it's not a huge shock it's taken until now.
Anyway, after that I genuinely thought we would go on to win convincingly. Credit to Newcastle in a way, they were disciplined second-half and did what every time should against us- load the box with every set-piece within range, because we are awful at dealing with it. It cost us against Southampton, Man Utd in the League Cup and yesterday. Needs sorting, because I actually expect the opposition to score from every corner and free-kick nowadays.
Was a real setback their second goal but fair play to Suarez, he did a wonderful bit of play to create the goal on a plate for Danny boy. We had a couple very good chances to win the game after that but ultimately I think a draw was the fair result. So we can complain about parts of the performance but have to accept we probably didn't deserve to win, especially considering they had ten men for 50 minutes.
Man of the match Suarez for me, he was a bit stiff in parts but you judge certain players on how effective they are and he was, set up both goals expertly, unfortunate to clip the bar with a super volley and very nearly won it at the death. Skrtel and Kolo played well, they kept Remy and Ben Arfa in check which is easier said than done. Johnson did well on his return, Cissokho shaky first half but I think improved as the game went on. Henderson average yesterday, Gerrard the same bar a cool penalty and a couple of superb passes which very nearly led to winning goals. Sturridge much better once he changed his boots, he's always good for a goal and it's very comforting knowing that as a fan. Moses however was abject in the hole but that's because he's a winger, he doesn't have the awareness or creativity to play behind the strikers so I'm not going to blame him for it. Once we (hopefully) revert back to 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 he'll be playing on the wing where he does his best work, or as an impact sub. Oh and Mignolet didn't have much to do but he made a good save from Sissoko and like I said, not sure I'm blaming him for their first goal.
It was a disappointing performance in many ways. I think BR should have hauled off a centre back at half time and brought on Allen or Alberto then so as to take the game to their ten men, instead by the time we made such a change we were chasing the game. Nonetheless, despite their poor season in 2012/13 a draw at St James' Park is never a bad result in my opinion. Top five teams last season Chelsea and Tottenham were both beaten there. I can accept a point at grounds like that as long as we back it up with wins at Anfield. Next week will be tough, WBA have beaten us in our last two Anfield meetings as well as that 3-0 at the Hawthorns on last season's opening day. We tend to struggle against teams with energetic midfields, theirs is certainly that. But we unquestionably need to win with two very tough away games on the horizon.
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