Rafa was a pleased man at the end of the game, but as usual, he summed things up quite calmly and clinically.
We didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down after 32 minutes, but we were, and there was some sloppy play at the back again from the Newcastle defense – that’s 4 goals conceded in the previous two games.
Mistakes from Lascelles and Dubravka led to the two goals being conceded.
Rafa will again work on the defense this coming for our trip to Bournemouth next Saturday at 3:00pm – we need more clean sheets.
But hey, we have taken 16 points from the previous eight games with five wins and that unlucky draw at Wolves.
Rafa Benitez congratulates Ayoze Perez after an amazing comeback
This is what the boss said after our 5th successive home win:
“As always, it’s the reaction of the players. At half time, we were talking about staying calm, don’t concede another goal.”
“I told them if we scored one goal, we’d be back in the game. We kept pushing – stopping them playing and creating chances.”
“This team is important. The link between Ayoze Perez and Aalomon Rondon.”
“If Messi was doing that everybody would be talking about the goal.”
“The players deserve to win these five games in a row at home.”
“Normally I say to the players stay calm at half time, score one goal and get back into the game.”
“In the first half we had chances to score but they scored two goals.”
“We changed the shape of the team – with Ritchie on the right and four at the back.”
“We were winning more second balls in the second half.”
“I will say I don’t think we would have deserved to lose 2-0 the way were playing.”
“We made some mistakes, created some chances. Then we miss a penalty, and a minute later we concede a goal.”
“Things were going against us.”
“At half-time, we said ‘keep going, one goal, and get back into it’ – the players understood that.”
“Ayoze is a player of quality. He can lose the ball but he is capable of scoring great goals.”
This was an incredible game for Newcastle fans – I’m off to watch it again.
A fantastic win just when we needed it most.
What more could you ask for?
Rafa to sign a new six-year deal at Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
160 comments so far
Our Toon
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:36 PM
Comment #81Almiron has made a huge difference to how we attack, his pace has pushed teams further back which creates space for others.
magscar
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:39 PM
Comment #82Shoulders Knees
yeah they soon recover and prosper
🙂
My eldest grandson now 19 was at the Rangers friendly with me way back in 2004(?) for his first live game – Shearer scored a penalty (4-2?) after about 10 minutes and an already noisy stadium ( Rangers fans had whole Gallowgate end) erupted with a crescendo of Shearer !! Shearer!! and my grandson burst into tears from fright at tremendous noise
At least it wasn’t just me yelling that time 🙂
martoon
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:41 PM
Comment #83Ketsbaia9 @51 You’ve just demonstrated why you are the laughing stock of the blog – Hayden was tremendous today and has been very good for the last few games. However he probably will be away at the end of the season but for personal reasons.
TomaKaThor
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:41 PM
Comment #84People on here where turning on Almiron when was 2-0 down(shock horror). I thought up untill that point he was the only one doing anything in a poor all around showing, his acceleration with the ball is dangerous.
Shoulders knees
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:44 PM
Comment #85Magscar
Yes they sure do, and get your passion as well.
Our Toon
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:51 PM
Comment #86Hayden has been immense, winning the ball back and protection is key in modern day football. I thought he had another very good game
lochinvar
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:54 PM
Comment #87BobbyBee
Impressive performance today by the team, evermore so by you to get to and from the match, so hope the appointment at Wansbeck went ok for you.
Was in Newbiggin yesterday freezing my nuts off walking the beach so went to Bertorellis for an ice cream as you do when it’s cold. Recommend the new Honeycomb flavour.
lochinvar
Mar 9, 2019 at 9:58 PM
Comment #88If Almeron’s shot from 35yards out had gone in then there would have been a ground tremor large enough for the Government to stop fracking. Look forward to his first goal.
beddersmag
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:03 PM
Comment #89Our toon #81
Totally agree. Now this might sound mad. But we haven’t had that since Overtan. No I know he wasn’t a great player himself, but he changed how teams would play against us and we were a better side when he was in it. Pretty sure he played most of the games in our 5th place finish season under pardew. Same with Almiron. Teams can’t push up into out half and dominate us for fear of the ball over the top. Appreciate any indirect praise for oberatan may open me up for ridicule mind ha ha.
beddersmag
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:04 PM
Comment #90Obertan even ?
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:04 PM
Comment #91For all those complaining about Pickford not being sent off for his rugby tackle on Rondon, the ref obviously played the advantage for Newcastle… and kept Pickford on the pitch. That ref absolutely loves us!
Toonces
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Comment #92Bobby @ 76
Just notice Ritchie loses his cool and it affects his game. Part of what stops him from being a next level player and keeps him where his it. But as i said, i respect his heart. When he missed the penalty , and it was poor, it rattled him for the rest of the match. And he was lucky with the penalty against city. He isn’t picking side netting and riding his luck. Thag said he has earned much with his heart and effort but he needs to step up a bit more to close the season
Toonces
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:06 PM
Comment #93Chancel @91
There is no advantage to be played in the penalty box. The advantage is the penalty and the foul… unless the goal was scored
beddersmag
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:06 PM
Comment #94Love Almiron just hope he gets goals or the pressure will mount and seen few players with potential lose confidence and form up here when it doesn’t go right.
Toonces
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:07 PM
Comment #95But i detect your sarcasm
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:08 PM
Comment #96beddersmag – you won’t get any ridicule from Ketsbaia9 regarding Obertan. He still can’t believe that we didn’t sell him for fifty million quid and then buy Ronaldo and Messi for five million each.
Toonces
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:08 PM
Comment #97Beddars at 94
It is about wins. Dont think there will be any pressure on alimron if he helps us get wins
martoon
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:10 PM
Comment #98Toonces @93 – I think Chancel was joking – read his post again!
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:12 PM
Comment #99Toonces – I was joking. Obviously Pickford should have gone under the letter of the law, but the ref actually did us a favour not sending him off, didn’t he? I was fuming at the time, but laughing about it after the final whistle.
Toonces
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:12 PM
Comment #100Martoon- hence mypost at 95
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:13 PM
Comment #101martoon – cheers! I’m glad someone got what I was talking about 🙂
Toonces
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:14 PM
Comment #102And chancel ? were on the same page
beddersmag
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:16 PM
Comment #103Aye toonces that will keep all the lads confidence up. If hasn’t won I could see it building though. Remember mitro in early days. If a few shots had gone in he could have been a good player for us imo. Just hope he scores soon and there will be lift off.
Chancel – I’m not that much of a fan tbh. Bit of a headless chicken and a giant head I presumed was made of cheese. But he was quick mind ?
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:18 PM
Comment #104Looks like Schar’s show of petulance will cost him his place. Rafa won’t be impressed with his lack of professionalism and Fernandez could step into his place and keep it between now and the end of the season if he can play well and stay clear of injuries. Schar might only get back in if a centreback gets injured. Very disappointed to see him slamming the ball down like that. I get that he got caught up in his emotions, but you have to keep a cool head. Still, his goal last week is goal of the season for me. What a belter 🙂
DaveD1000
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:19 PM
Comment #105RE: Miggy…..what about that smack that Ayoze got the rebound off? Plenty more to come from the Eyebrow Kid
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:20 PM
Comment #106Toonces – nowts a bother mate. Let’s be happy with another precious three points and one more step towards safety for another year.
DaveD1000
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:22 PM
Comment #107Again….Schar….passion in a Toon shirt, go for it ( I may be slightly in eeb erated,have had a few small creme de menthes to celebrate)
Chancel My MBembaship
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:22 PM
Comment #108DaveD1000 – if the Toffees had done their homework on Almiron, they’d have known he was capable of lacing the ball from distance like that. When he’s sitting just outside the box with a bit of space he’s going to try his luck. Rondon and Perez are going to be waiting for the keeper to spill any shots from Miggy, assuming they don’t sail right in. He’s an absolute joy to watch, isn’t he?
DaveD1000
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:24 PM
Comment #109Chancel
Man…you got that right
Optimistic Panda
Mar 9, 2019 at 10:45 PM
Comment #110Justice was served today…
Great comeback but I still feel cheated, I still can’t believe Pickford wasn’t sent off
A ridiculous challenge, no where near a fair chalenge or a accident, the ref should be embarrassed.
Teams can be relegated on decisions like that and its disgraceful. Unbelievable
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:04 PM
Comment #111Two nil down
Three two up
Jordan Pickford fu*k it up
Tra la la Tra la la
Gallowgate End at the End brilliant
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:25 PM
Comment #112Cardiff have destroyed West ham with their pace and work rate those big centre backs looked comfortable against Rondon and Perez
If we could get a bit more pace in the team we could be deadly
Rondon and Gayle swap deal and shell out the big bucks for Joel Linton!!! Would be a great forward line with pace and power!!
ronaldo aarons
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:29 PM
Comment #113Schar has already lost his place now for 2 games. 10th booking means 2 game suspension. I don’t blame him for getting frustrated. you do want professionalism but I personally can forgive players who wear their heart on their sleeve a litte. You need a good mix in the team. But still, 10 bookings, guys been collecting them for fun.
mac the jaffrey
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:30 PM
Comment #114Regarding Hayden, I noticed that as the players were celebrating Perez’s equaliser, Hayden went in there and ushered them to get back and go again……showed real drive and a real will to win, is really really good to see.
A team to be proud of.
DaveD1000
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:33 PM
Comment #115Ronaldo
Schar busting a gut for the shirt….hard to criticise
ronaldo aarons
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:36 PM
Comment #116Yeah, I noticed that about Hayden. Guy is becoming someone I really don’t want to lose.
Munster Mag
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:37 PM
Comment #117Toon huge win. Motd and sky, curry and wine, all is fine. 🙂 well done to rafa and the players today. I just love perez. Almiron has changed us a bit and lifted the crowd too 🙂
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:38 PM
Comment #118A few of Schars cards have been needless as well but his long passes are great!
I actually prefer us when we are direct and pass it quickly up front rather than fannying about with it at the back and Schar provides us with that option
Big chance for Fernandez and Dummet to come back in if Schar is suspended and Lascalles is out
ronaldo aarons
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:40 PM
Comment #119Dave
Yeah he plays on the edge a little doesn’t he. You need characters like him.
ronaldo aarons
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:40 PM
Comment #120Not too many like