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
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:44 PM
Comment #121Would love us to sign Ryan Fraser from Bournemouth what a cracking player he is got the lot imagine him and Almiron running at defences at top speed…. mouth watering !
stan anderson
Mar 9, 2019 at 11:53 PM
Comment #122This is why we love the Toon totally unpredictable.
Ashley OOT
Nicky the ball tosser
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Comment #123League table from Round 10
1 Manchester City 21 17 0 4 53:18 35 51
2 Liverpool FC 20 14 5 1 48:12 36 47
3 Manchester United 20 13 5 2 43:22 21 44
4 Tottenham Hotspur 21 13 1 7 41:25 16 40
5 Arsenal FC 20 10 6 4 39:28 11 36
6 Chelsea FC 19 11 2 6 29:23 6 35
7 West Ham United 21 9 5 7 29:29 0 32
8 Newcastle United 21 9 5 7 23:24 -1 32
9 Wolves 20 8 4 8 28:27 1 28
10 Watford FC 21 7 6 8 29:32 -3 27
11 Crystal Palace 21 7 5 9 31:30 1 26
12 Leicester City 21 7 5 9 23:27 -4 26
13 Southampton FC 21 6 6 9 28:36 -8 24
14 Cardiff City 21 7 2 12 19:38 -19 23
15 Everton FC 21 6 4 11 26:30 -4 22
16 Brighton 20 6 4 10 22:29 -7 22
17 Burnley FC 20 6 4 10 22:36 -14 22
18 AFC Bournemouth 21 6 2 13 25:42 -17 20
19 Fulham FC 21 3 3 15 17:43 -26 12
20 Huddersfield Town 21 3 2 16 11:35 -24 11
Nostradamus the Geordie
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:25 AM
Comment #124I have to say we looked better with Jonjo in the middle, let’s not sell him. Let’s keep him in the club, bald lives mater.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:27 AM
Comment #125Lochinvar
Love to have been at the ground to hear it 1st hand but the shout on the PC came through loud and clear.
Thought I’d broken my hand on the as I smashed against desk when I bought my arm up when the goal went in, fortunately a trip to A&E not needed. 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:31 AM
Comment #126Still don’t get the Shelvey is lazy comments, he must have covered most of the pitch in the short time he was on, I’d be gutted if he was allowed to leave!
RobLeenio
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Comment #127I said before the game that I thought we would get a victory coming from behind – we did, though I didn’t really expect to come from 2-0 down with 25 to go. That’s a victory born of stout hearts and iron will, it says more about our character as a team than it does about our skill, in some respects, though our skill levels were also in evidence today.
Our character has been questioned in some areas when we’ve gone behind, there have been times when it’s been hard to imagine scoring one goal after we’ve conceded, let alone the two or more that we would need to win. To pull that off today was immense and should stand us in really good stead for the run in. The lads will feel like they can beat anyone tonight.
And it does feel just that little bit more special when you come from behind, as opposed to cruising to a 3-0 victory with the result never in doubt. The atmosphere at the ground seemed awesome from the highlights I’ve seen, one of those days you can be doubly envious of those that were there.
carltoon
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Comment #128Magscar never laughed so much reading your post. I’ve been there and done the same. Great game
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Comment #129Bill,
That was pretty special today…..but we don’t half like doing things the hard way 🙂
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:36 AM
Comment #130Rob,
I remember reading your comment last night about scoring the winner in the last minute and thinking……na, gimme leading 2-0 at half time any day……but when events unfold like they did today……that is what football is all about
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:36 AM
Comment #131And for a bit of preening, I picked Hayden as my MOS for last season, as I thought he would progress immensely. It’s taken another season and a half though but he is getting there. It’s going to be a shame to lose him, if we do!
RobLeenio
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:37 AM
Comment #132Bill, nice to see you posting regularly again today mate.
Did you see The Beast was up against Lawro in the BBC predictions? He called the win for us, so I kinda knew it was a foregone conclusion at that point.
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:40 AM
Comment #133Tom,
I saw your reply re:midland earlier, I’m not going that far north……visiting Ann Arbor, which is a little bit west of Detroit – but I’ll try to get some info for you (I have a vested interest in any local mag groups as I’m probably going to live there myself come this summer)
RobLeenio
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:41 AM
Comment #134NY Mag, I’m pretty sure the Everton fans would have been happy with 2-0 at half time too…
😉
Every victory type has its charm, it’s nice to be able to let the game take care of itself and just concentrate on the singing in the stands from a position of comfort, but for sheer passion and excitement, well, it doesn’t get much better than a game like today’s.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:41 AM
Comment #135NY Mag
You’re not wrong there, must have have given you even more of a buzz reading about your compatriots experience and comments today!
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:46 AM
Comment #136NY Mag
I thought that Detroit was something of a ghost city now with the partial demise of the car industry although property is cheap there now?
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:47 AM
Comment #137Rob,
That’s true….I think it was Bournemouth away last season we were 2-0 up and ending up drawing 2-2…….you just never now – brilliant when it goes for you and sickening when it slips away….
RobLeenio
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:48 AM
Comment #138Bill, I think people have moved on from calling Shelvey lazy. He has undoubted qualities and is an asset to our squad. I wonder if he can adapt his game, though, because Schaer and Lejeune can play the deep-lying quarterback role he’s taken over the last couple of seasons.
If we can get him up the field playing shorter through balls, switching the play and taking shots, then that’s the kind of player we need him to be. He hasn’t shown that this season, but who knows how much his thigh injury was preventing him.
If he can’t adapt, then it’s possible we could better use his value in strengthening the squad in other areas. It’s Rafa’s call and I’d be happy to see him stay.
I was pleased to see his reaction to the match tonight – it sounds like he’s been stung by the questions over his role and is determined to show his ability. That’s a good reaction as far as I’m concerned.
RobLeenio
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:51 AM
Comment #139NY Mag, it’s Bournemouth away next, maybe we can get some payback for that result, which was a proper sickener.
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:51 AM
Comment #140Bill,
Yes, lucky lad being in the toon today…..I think he said he was a student in NYC…..hooked for life, no doubt – would be nice if there was a direct NYC – NCL flight (might be able to catch a few games myself)………albeit, takes me almost as long to get to NYC airports as what the Atlantic crossing takes 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:53 AM
Comment #141It would appear that our winning goal was offside but we’ve had enough shite decisions against us from match officials so one in our favour helps to redress the balance a little.
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:56 AM
Comment #142Bill,
Yes, Detroit and surrounding areas are a kinda ghost towns…..many people simply up and left, it’s amazing – you can see many houses up for auction at just $1000.
Ann Arbor is a university town, so it’s been somewhat insulated from the exodus……unfortunately, I probably don’t have too much of a choice, I have been asked to go there (corporate speak for “told”)
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 12:58 AM
Comment #143Rob
He’s actually had a several good efforts on goal this season and could easily have been on the scoresheet a few times but for some very good goalkeeping.
Munster Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 1:04 AM
Comment #144We may have lost on on a pickford red cars, but we had five men offside when they scored. 🙂 🙂 :). Poetic.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 1:07 AM
Comment #145NY Mag
Aah well needs must when the paymaster makes a decision, will this be a temporary move?
I saw a programme about Detroit a few years ago, where the people still living there were turning the gardens of empty properties into allotments to feed themselves, hope you don’t have to do that. 😉
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 1:14 AM
Comment #146Bill,
I guess permanent…….but doesn’t matter, no matter where I live – I will always consider the north east of England as my “home”
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 1:17 AM
Comment #147Rob
Have been pretty busy the last few weeks but I have been following the blog, I do find find the petty name calling and bitchiness that goes on irritating, so have no inclination to make comments when that’s happening.
Had no intention to abandon the blog completely, to much respect for Ed and many others to do that.
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 1:29 AM
Comment #148Bill,
I have to say….I’m really glad you’re back – there’ll always be disagreements and name calling, just think of the positives 🙂
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 1:42 AM
Comment #149And, just to reinforce the good omen…..both Bill and Dr Ed posted today…….that has to happen every match day going forwards!!!
Jail for Ashley
Mar 10, 2019 at 1:56 AM
Comment #150O was in the bowel of a ship when we were 4-0 against Arsenal, I was in the Leases today. Brilliant I was there
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 10, 2019 at 2:00 AM
Comment #151Ny Mag
If nothing else I’ll still do the countdown. 🙂
Now another year older (not because of the game 🙂 ) So tomorrow is a family meal out and I need to be bright and alert, although I somehow end up footing the bill, still I love them all and don’t mind.
G’Night all!
NY Mag
Mar 10, 2019 at 2:01 AM
Comment #152Jail,
You’re a lucky man to witness that……I can only wish I was there
Geordie-john
Mar 10, 2019 at 2:05 AM
Comment #153I remember being at a certain match 45 years ago against Forest watching NUFC perform a fantastic comeback like today against all the odds only for the FA to void the result at the end.
Bloody officials . Bent as ever !!
lesh
Mar 10, 2019 at 2:13 AM
Comment #154Dedicated to today’s result, BobbyBee and NYC Mag – hope you enjoyed your visit
http://tinyurl.com/y529c8fu
lesh
Mar 10, 2019 at 2:23 AM
Comment #155Aaaand…some more music that’ll ease you down from today’s high
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HhmkZ5yp8w4
Enjoy
IITianToon
Mar 10, 2019 at 2:24 AM
Comment #156@NY Mag: When will you be visiting Ann Arbor? I am living here (until May at least). Wouldn’t mind grabbing a drink, maybe even catch a game at the Irish pub here if we’re on TV. Let me know! 🙂
lesh
Mar 10, 2019 at 2:34 AM
Comment #157Aaand… something covered by our very own Prelude and Online Guy……or was it Neil Young?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o2XcBL6kWn8
DubaiMicky
Mar 10, 2019 at 5:20 AM
Comment #158Newcastle’s Swiss defender Fabian Schar, 27, is on the radar of Tottenham and Arsenal. (Mirror)
I did think Shelvey showed his petulant side throwing the ball away and getting a yellow within 5 minutes or so of coming on. Rafa won’t like that.
Nostradamus the Geordie
Mar 10, 2019 at 6:17 AM
Comment #159Jonjo yellow card for throwing ball away, Pickford fcuk all for his audition for the WWF.
Funny old game,
The next Mike Williamson
Mar 10, 2019 at 6:39 AM
Comment #160I don’t know if Shelvey reads ALL the comments on here, but even if he doesn’t use the blog he’d have certainly been made aware there was a poll about him, and then probably read those comments as they were specifically about him. If they did the poll again Shelvey would have 80% want him to stay. I think a portion of the 50% that wanted him out are the types who think we’ll go down after two defeats and think we’ll come 6th after two wins. The types that call for a managers head as soon as the club hits a bad spell.