Newcastle United finally got some points up on the board tonight in front of over 48,000 fans at St. James’ Park when the lads won 4-1 against Reading after the scores were tied at 1-1 at the half.
Three very good second half goals sent the Newcastle fans home very happy tonight and that was a change from the first two games as Rafa is again sorting things out as he did when he first came in last March.
The defense was again a bit shaky at times so that needs to be fixed, but we have a lot more defenders this season.
Dwight Gayle celebrating goal
Issac Hayden after scoring
Isaac Hayden had put Newcastle ahead after 20 minutes with a good goal and it was his first for Newcastle and that was the first time Newcastle had been ahead in a game all season.
And Yoan Gouffran, who was a shock inclusion on the wing Gouffran had an acrobatic effort saved after 31 minutes, as Newcastle piled on the pressure, but Reading defended well.
But then we again went to sleep just before half time and this time it was Ciaran Clark making his debut who gave away a penalty in stoppage time of the first half and it was converted so it was 1-1 at the half.
Rafa couldn’t have been too happy with that.
Again the defense didn’t look as solid as it needs to this season – and that’s now 4 poor goals we have conceded in 3 games.
Matt Ritchie strokes penalty home
Newcastle got a penalty after 50 minutes and this time it was Matt Ritchie who took the ball and made no mistake from the spot to put Newcastle back in front.
Dwight Gayle after scoring sensational goal from free kick
And then it was the Dwight Gayle show as he scored a sensational goal after 69 minutes direct from a free kick and then right at the death it was Dwight again who tapped the ball home for his third goal of the season.
Here it is.
That was Gayle’s 3rd goal in three games – so not too bad so far.
This was a good display from Newcastle especially in the second half when the lads really put on the pressure.
We still have teething problems to sort out though, but this will give the lads the confidence they need for the remaining three games this month before the two week International break.
The result is really just what the doctor ordered – it was a huge relief really that we’re off the mark.
We cannot get too carried away and there is still work to do, but these are more like the results we want to see.
With 3 points from 3 games we are now just 4 points behind the leaders.
Newcastle: Sels; Anita, Mbemba, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie (Aarons, 89), Hayden, Shelvey, Gouffran (Colback, 83); Perez (Lascelles, 75); Gayle.
Subs not used: Darlow, Janmaat, Hanley, Armstrong.
Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane, Van den Berg, Evans (Mendes, 83), Williams, Swift, Beerens (Meite, 79), McCleary, Kermorgant.
Subs not used: Jaakkola, Cooper, Rakels, Quinn, Watson.
Attendance: 48,209
15 comments so far
Toon Tang
Aug 17, 2016 at 10:46 PM
Comment #1Wicked free-kick from Gayle that. If that had been Payet we’d be force-fed it for months.
Also, I think Rafa will have to have a serious rethink/rejig on the defencive side of things, that first half was atrocious, hot knife through butter on them highlights.
Looked like they could have gone in winning if our luck hadn’t been in.
Fostino
Aug 17, 2016 at 10:47 PM
Comment #2Didn’t see the match but good to see galye score. I felt once he signed he coukd get 20 goals this season.
Some interesting changes. I think clark demonstrated his rash decision making by giving away a penalty so I think we still dont have our cb pairing yet.
I think janmaat at rw and rithchie should be tried to give us 2 wingers who can crate and cross. I do rate janmaat but maybe he is not defensive enough for Rb. Can’t understand why jesus hasn’t been selected there yet. Maybe mbabu could stake a claim or sterry….seems most here don’t fancy anita for that position. Goofy at lw is not good enough and rolando doesn’t seem to be quite ready yet either
Good to see shelvey and hayden form a good paentership. ..Really need shelvey to step up.
As I didn’t see the match can anyone tell me how dummett and perez played.
jimmysmith
Aug 17, 2016 at 10:55 PM
Comment #3Little surprise Anita is a favourite of Benitez. He is a top pro, very serviceable, can pass and move intelligently and play to instruction. I don’t think he’s a key player, but he is one of those you can play to help knit the group together.
And Dummett captain? I’m not sure we are not seeing the way being paved for Sissoko to eventually be re-given the armband should he stay.
Fostino
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:01 PM
Comment #4Anita mbemba hanley dummett
Janmaat hayden shelvey Diame ritchie
Gayle
bettyswallocks
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Comment #5Hayden could prove to be a real steal. He can tackle, play with the ball in tight areas and score.
toon22
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:03 PM
Comment #6If Sissoko stays he cant be played RW
Id have him as our 2nd striker
Belfast
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:03 PM
Comment #7Shearer statue in nets Fostino?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:07 PM
Comment #8Just got in
Don’t be fooled by the score 4 – 1 flattered the TOON
Like a roll of wallpaper tonight appeared over a lot of cracks.
a game of penalties we got one they got one they should of had another straight after we scored our penalty when they were the better team.
still playing at a slow pace with to many cross field passes and backward football. attack to slow and ponderous with little movement off the ball
My merit marks
Sels 4 poor – got lucky when they hit the bar – distribution poor
Dummett – 5 OK – just
Clark – 4 – started well then went to the dogs
Mbemba – 6 – pick of our defenders.
Anita – 5 -OK at best
Shelley 7 – one of his better games for the TOON – still lazy
Ritchie 8 – Man of the Match – ball of energy – got attitude
Hayden 6 – did OK scored a decent goal
Goufran 6 – did a job linked up with attack
Perez 4 – tried but ha lost the plot – lightweight
Gayle 7- worked his socks off scored a good free kick and opportunist goal = but needs help up front.
subs: not really on long enough to give a merit
Crowd 48,000 – don’t think so but better atmosphere than Saturday
brklyngeordie
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:09 PM
Comment #9Good job by the lads tonight and really pleased to see Benitez swing his Axe on Janmaatt perticularly…
Heard that Traore on Villa asked for move would be good business by us lad is lightning would love to see us make a bid
ZIPPIE57
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:10 PM
Comment #10What a night , great atmosphere , great result, wish people would stop trying to second guess ruthless Rafa who is dropping people like hot cakes to get it right . We won 4-1 pi$$ off if you don’t like Rafa or his team selection, he is getting £100,000 a week and got it massively right tonight
Well done lads
Shadow_Shearer
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:12 PM
Comment #11Seems to me like rafa is having trouble sorting the balance between defence & attack. Ofcourse I do believe this has been one of our biggest problems, for a few years.
It’s like we can’t seem to get hold of a game in a dominant manner, despite the extra talent we have.
I think rafa needs to try a more attacking approach. When other teams are running at us, we don’t look comfortable. It’s better to be running at the opposition, than the other way run.
manxpie
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:12 PM
Comment #12jimmy you were questioning how stupid the 10 mill was spent on gayle before the match!
dummett on commentry sounded good and he would have got a hell of a lift being made captain
and that is a kick in the teeth to people who for some reason hate him
he’s a geordie and he plays for us and is a good defender and always 100%!…. brilliant! it’s a pity his name isn’t dummettini
SPRINGY
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:14 PM
Comment #13have to wonder if ritchie is injured,with sissoko,diame injured aarons out of form…we could be looking at goofy left and janmaat right on the wings at the weekend.
U.S Magpie
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:20 PM
Comment #14Here you go Toon Army, just in case you didn’t see the highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgPW8dvcVQU
jimmysmith
Aug 17, 2016 at 11:25 PM
Comment #15Manx, do you just make it up to suit yourself. Never once did I claim the signing of Gayle as “stupid” and I’ve always said Dummett was a strong defender and valuable member of the squad.