Arsenal have cruised to a 2-0 win at St. James’ Park. Newcastle were marginally better in the second have but offered little threat upfront in a comfortable win for the Gunners.
Steve Bruce made no changes after a poor first half had Newcastle down 1-0. Newcastle were a bit brighter to start the second half trying to get Wilson and Saint-Maximin on the ball but questionable foul calls hindered some potential opportunities.
Fifteen minutes into the second half and Newcastle were still unable to create any clear-cut chances. The lads were better than the first half and limiting Arsenal but just unable to mount much of a threat.
Arsenal were able to double their lead in the 65th minute through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The ball was laid off to Martinelli just inside the area down Newcastle’s right. He whipped in a cross that Aubameyang put away with an acrobatic finish from about five yards out.
Bruce made his first changes in the 71st minute bringing Fabian Schar on for Fernandez for his first appearance since February. Joelinton also came on for Almiron as Bruce transitioned to three strikers on the pitch.
Just like after the first goal, Newcastle failed to put in much of a reaction as they seemed a bit deflated. Arsenal continued to cruise while Newcastle struggled to mount a comeback. Bruce threw one last roll of the dice bringing Dwight Gayle on for Ciaran Clark in the 84th minute.
Newcastle pushed late to try and get back into the game. However, the second goal killed any chance of a result as the quality was just lacking in the final third for the Magpies.
Fabian Schar’s return was short-lived as he received a straight red in the 90th minute. It was a rash challenge through the back of Martinelli but looked like a harsh decision by Mike Dean.
Newcastle still hold a 9-point edge over Fulham with just four matches remaining but this was another drop in performance. It’s an opportunity lost as Newcastle were never at the races today.
152 comments so far
Romford mag
May 2, 2021 at 4:01 PM
Comment #1Shite
geordietom
May 2, 2021 at 4:02 PM
Comment #2Total unadulterated shite …
ChicoUSA
May 2, 2021 at 4:02 PM
Comment #3Embarrassment….Ashley Out, Bruce Out, Mike Dean Out
AnyToon in Indiana
May 2, 2021 at 4:03 PM
Comment #4Looked like another early pre-season match with players who haven’t played together nor have had any training coming from the off season. Ritchie and Dummett perhaps a step above that today…otherwise pretty much everyone else was forgettable on the pitch today.
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 4:03 PM
Comment #5It was me!
I voted for Shelvey.
Hes playing a blinder, conning a living as a,pro footballer.
Lazy half arsed shite house.
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 4:05 PM
Comment #6Who else voted for him?
If you’re not taking the P, leave now!
West Lancs Geordie
May 2, 2021 at 4:06 PM
Comment #7How can you vote for a best player for NUFC as they were all shite. No interest, no fight , dreadful passing , chasing shadows. Not good enough for the Premiership.
SholaShow
May 2, 2021 at 4:06 PM
Comment #8Our owner isn’t fit and proper.
Our manager is a proper tit.
Our players aren’t PL match fit, none of them.
the crown princes nashers
May 2, 2021 at 4:06 PM
Comment #9it shows that bruce did get his coaching badges from ebay doesnt it, if ashley lets him continue here another season he wont make the same mistake again they will be rock bottom without a paddle, ive seen school boys on the playing fields play with much more style and rythem then this bunch of crooks just have to wait a couple of games for west brom and fulham to loose them if they win them then i cant see much hope in this team at all
geordietom
May 2, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Comment #10i aint voted dont think any of them today are worthy of MOM …
Essex Geordie Bill
May 2, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Comment #11We had a lot of crosses into the box but no one to take advantage of them, now I wonder if we had someone on the bench who might have.
Although I’m sure the TFG would have acted if there’d been an obvious big CF he could have hoyed on!
the crown princes nashers
May 2, 2021 at 4:07 PM
Comment #12mike dean as ref aye well that says everything doesnt it, I thought he retired obviously not
Optimistic prime
May 2, 2021 at 4:08 PM
Comment #13Bruce got his coaches badges because he knows which bus to get to Greggs.
NVQ level 3
Adamn_92
May 2, 2021 at 4:09 PM
Comment #14Well back to the usual then. Pointless trying to blame the ref for anything, doesn’t matter who the ref was as we offered absolutely nothing for 90 minutes. What does Anderson have to do to get some bloody minutes? Being on Schar for Clarke for some reason, he gets sent off. Bring on Joelinton too late to have any effect, likewise with Gayle. Why bring on more attackers when we have no control in midfield to give the attackers any opportunities? 2-0 down and we still sit back and hoof it long, just giving them the ball back. Clueless as usual. Made an extremely average Arsenal team look like the peak Wenger Arsenal days.
geordietom
May 2, 2021 at 4:09 PM
Comment #15The players sat back didnt press the arsenal players , it was a stroll in the park for the gooners …
SholaShow
May 2, 2021 at 4:09 PM
Comment #16Can put any player on, buy any player, under this manager they absolutely will regress or if they’re youngsters have their potential nobbled.
We don’t even train enough, never mind effectively train.
West Lancs Geordie
May 2, 2021 at 4:09 PM
Comment #17Well Mash IF we stay up , you’d better sell the club as I simply can not carry on supporting a club with no ambition other than to finish 17th and lining your pockets every season.
As for Clueless just put him out to pasture!
Essex Geordie Bill
May 2, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Comment #18As it happens I think he was the pick of a poor team today.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
May 2, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Comment #19No point blaming Mike Dean
Bruce as usual sent us out half baked the luck will always run out
What about giving Matty or Anderson a run out just same old same old
Loads of players that need upgraded if Ashley and Bruce are here next season will be more of the same or worse
cleveleysbob
May 2, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Comment #20Still waiting for Neil to add “none of the above”. I think giving some of our performances (most) this Season, that we have to have an option to not vote for anyone.
Literally, not one player deserved to be given any kind of accolade, let alone MoM.
the crown princes nashers
May 2, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Comment #21if this team was in a hospital ward it be in the terminal ward its that bad, in all my years as a fan and player ( not pro ) long time ago ive never seen a team like this ever
WLtoon
May 2, 2021 at 4:12 PM
Comment #22Said months ago that we had the worst CM in the PL, today showed it in abundance, trouble is who do we replace the strollers with, Hendrick ffs.
What has Bruce got to lose by giving young Anderson a run out, he can`t do any worse than Longstaff and Shelvey.
Shelvey will always get a start while Lascelles is out saying as he is vice captain.
Essex Geordie Bill
May 2, 2021 at 4:12 PM
Comment #23Only one of our players to get a good shot on goal, and kept trying to keep the team moving.
hibbit
May 2, 2021 at 4:12 PM
Comment #24that’s a Steve Bruce team in a nut shell total lack of commitment,
no urgency
no organisation
no effort
what do these players do all week under Bruce,
a disgusting all round performance,
hibbit
May 2, 2021 at 4:15 PM
Comment #25and Bruce thinks he’s done enough to keep this job ??
#bruceOUT
Goofy
May 2, 2021 at 4:16 PM
Comment #26Here! Here! Well said Gary Neville, normally shut off when he talks but that was really wise words.
West Lancs Geordie
May 2, 2021 at 4:16 PM
Comment #27Essex the crosses we had were straight into the goalie’s hands with no pressure put on him by anyone. They must get back to basics and learn to pass a ball and close people down. Martinelli has so much time unmarked to provide a pin point cross for the second goal.
If Clueless is so sure we are safe then he must start giving Anderson a go. As it is we are a two man outfit ASM and Willock.
The mighty wyn
May 2, 2021 at 4:16 PM
Comment #28Charlie can still appeal I think that lad at west ham last week was sent off after var review and still won the appeal
The mighty wyn
May 2, 2021 at 4:16 PM
Comment #29Where the hell did charlie come from schar ffs
snowdone
May 2, 2021 at 4:18 PM
Comment #30Not acceptable again. No MotM today. Supine surrender. No urgency. Arsenal can probably field 3 teams capable of beating our lacklustre, lazy layabouts.
scott
May 2, 2021 at 4:19 PM
Comment #31Toon22 had more fight about him last night than the toon11 today!
Bruce needs to get the team on the frog juice before the next match! 🙂
Zele
May 2, 2021 at 4:20 PM
Comment #32A very lethargic performance against a weakened Arsenal team who demonstrated how to pass and move, something we don’t seem to posses.
I’ve noticed that (too) many visiting teams are quite adept at short accurate passes keeping the ball moving between themselves.
We seem to hurry our passes and the distance between our players seems to be greater than the distance between players of visiting teams.
jimiley
May 2, 2021 at 4:20 PM
Comment #33I do not know what Gary said but recently he has gone up a lot in my estimation.. Wants the Manure sacked to the second division and he is Manure mad.
I remember him clattering Gillespie at Old Trafford when we had a good team. It worked.Never saw Gillespie for the next 80 minutes.
John Tudor
May 2, 2021 at 4:22 PM
Comment #34Time for action off the pitch
West Lancs Geordie
May 2, 2021 at 4:22 PM
Comment #35LGBP The management structure and ownership needs upgrading before the players as if those wastrels are not hounded out of the club there may well be a shortage of fans and supporters next season as expecting us to accept 17th as an acceptable result every season is totally unacceptable.
Sick of it!!!
Stutsy
May 2, 2021 at 4:23 PM
Comment #36That was the worst game I have ever watched no desire no direction nothing. We should be doing what Man U fans are doing and should have did it years ago to get rid of that parasite.
jimiley
May 2, 2021 at 4:23 PM
Comment #37This manager and these players are in for a nasty surprise in August if we are still in the Prem league and they repeat that performance.. It might be difficult to smuggle in a cabbage but brussel sprouts…… Not that I will be going. Just an idea for the Ashley diehards???
Reilly
May 2, 2021 at 4:26 PM
Comment #38Do you reckon bruce give dvds of the best way to deal with Arsenal to the lads.Or was it give the ball to maxi and hope.
jimiley
May 2, 2021 at 4:26 PM
Comment #39Brighton was worse but only just.
No effort which is the ultimate sin.
onmeedsun
May 2, 2021 at 4:27 PM
Comment #40Bruce just seems incapable of tailoring the team he puts out based on the opposition. Worked last week, so same again. He has simply no insight into formations and is about as tactically nimble as a pissed hippo.