Sunday afternoon stroll ends in defeat.
Posted on May 2nd, 2011 | 37 Comments |
The game started with the air of a bit of a stroll for both teams.
With Newcastle sporting the white away strip, I had a distinct feeling of foreboding about this match.
We started off with a corner to no avail. It took until the 10th minute for anything resembling football to happen, but when it did, it was a bit of quick passing by Liverpool that ended in a shot by Rodriguez that hit Danny Simpson on the elbow and deflected passed a diving Tim Krul into the net.
1 – 0
It took at least another 10 minutes before we had any meaningful play by Newcastle. But when they did string a few passes together we looked the better team, forcing a series of corners and set plays. Jonas was worrying the kid they had at RB (Flaneghan), who had to foul him and ended up yellow carded. Yet we still hadn’t really managed any decent attempt on goal from open play.
Joey Barton was having a bit of fun with the Kop end, purposely putting ball outside the corner quadrant. Meireles seemed unable to get 10 yards back, a feature of his game throughout, and going unpunished for both corners and free kicks. As the end of the half drew closer Newcastle looked to be getting the better of the play but, sadly, looked unlikely to worry the Liverpool goal.
Half time: 1 – 0
The lads must have had something of a rollicking in the locker room at half time, because they came out with far more courage and conviction. Within 40 seconds of the restart a great little move culminating in a Kevin Nolan pass right into the path of the onrushing Joey Barton should’ve produced a goal, but Barton contrived to squander it, putting the ball wide of the right hand post. That would’ve really put the cat amongst the pigeons, but alas …
As the game dragged towards the hour mark, a long clearance by Reina landed between Mike Williamson and Suarez. Willo should’ve either cleared or got between the ball and Suarez and shepherded it out. He did neither. As Suarez made his way towards the box he went down just outside the box, while falling into it, in a manner befitting of his proven cheating mentality. Penalty awarded! If there was any contact, it was most definitely outside the area. No matter, Kuyt stepped up and slotted home the spot kick.
2 – 0
That mostly killed the game, but there was still time for the ref to give a customary yellow card to Tiote, for one of the softest reasons. It had more to do with Meireles, Rodriguez and Suarez’s collective
play acting than any kind of bad challenges.
Then came the icing on the cake for Liverpool. In the 65th minute, Suarez darted towards the box playing a fortunate ball off of Coloccini to Kuyt, who in turn fed it back to Suarez who clipped it past Krul rushing out.
3 – 0
The game deteriorated further but the ref still saw fit to ignore what looked like a ‘real’ penalty as Ameobi was felled in their box. No deal though and was to be expected from what can only be described as a ‘homer ref’ on the day. Both teams lost total interest by now and the match fizzled out in a barrage of subs.
It makes you wonder how Liverpool have managed to scrape back into the top 5 on this performance against a depleted Newcastle team, the same that turned out against Blackpool last week.
Jonas and Colo were probably the pick of the bunch for us. Jose also did ok in the second half. We totally lacked a cutting edge up top and Barton’s early miss in the second half made it difficult for us and an uphill struggle.
All in all a dull end of season affair in a stadium lacking atmosphere but reminiscent of a certain place we all know with plastic bags and litter blowing around.
For all out possession and a dozen corners and less fouls, we came away with more bookings, no goals and no points.
Next up Birmingham at SJP.
Howay the Lads!
Extended match highlight and post match interviews.
Match highlights.
Newcastle United manager, Alan Pardew, regrets Newcastle’s lack of “je ne sais quoi” in the box, and feels that Barton’s missed chance, and Liverpool’s penalty were turning points in the game.
Liverpool mamager, Kenny Dalglish, felt that Newcastle put his team under some pressure in the latter part of the first half, but that his side deserved the comfortable victory overall.
NUFCBlog Author: CLiNT FLiCK
Cut me in half & it'll say Newcastle United F.C. just like a stick of Black 'n' White rock!
CLiNT FLiCK has written 42 articles on this blog.
Crap match to watch and not just because we lost.
We had corners galore but Joey was kicking like shite. At what point when it becomes obvious to everyone but him do you let someone else have a lash. We looked like a Championship side tonight and Ameobi and Lovenkrands were woeful. As a pair they dont work together at all and we could have started and ended the game without the two of them and their would have been little to no difference.
Alan said there was no room for sentimentality in the game. If thats true SHIP AMEOBI OUT!!!!!! Not having him will give someone else the chance to develop their game and get on the pitch.