Newcastle United drew 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen to keep qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League in our own hands. In what was an up and down display, United fought back in an improved second half but the familiar late concession of a goal spoiled the narrative.
Goals came via Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley for United and a Bruno own goal, with Alex Grimaldo leveling late for Leverkusen.
Here are 4 things I liked (and 4 I didn’t) from last night’s draw at the BayArena.
Liked/Disliked: First 45 hell, second 45 heaven, familiar ending
The first half was a nightmare in pharma-land as United played like they had taken a bad batch of medicine in the North Rhine-Westphalia. The midfield was consistently bypassed as the German side span every one of our midfield three easily, and the counterattacks were often three on three or two on two.
We were also incredibly lucky not to be down to ten men too when one counterattack should’ve resulted in a red card for Thiaw. Yes, Tino was on the cover but once it wasn’t a penalty, I was astounded that it wasn’t a red.
But United were much better in the second half and had Nick Woltemade to thank for some excellent pressing that won United a penalty just four minutes into the second half. Unfortunately, it was the only time Big Nick was involved in the game, and we must improve this aspect of our play ASAP.
Lewis Miley gave us the lead with a big header (more on him below) before the familiar feeling of conceding a late goal to surrender points robbed us of a win which would’ve all but guaranteed us a spot in the playoff round at a minimum.
Liked/Disliked: Gordon improved, but Barnes didn’t deserve to be out of position
Anthony Gordon grabbed his seventh goal of the season and has scored three penalties in three consecutive games, he hit the post too with an excellent curling effort, and he also grabbed an assist for Miley’s header, in a much improved second half display. He took on his fullback much more effectively too and when he plays like that, he deserves to be in the side.
However, I felt for Harvey Barnes in what was a wholly ineffective first half display on the RW, and frankly, with his recent form he didn’t deserve to be shoved out of position. He just never looks comfortable on the right and it’s a failure of squad building that our two best wingers want to play on the same side.
Liked/Disliked: Enforced substitution changing the game
Let’s be straight: Joelinton was dire and how he lasted an hour is beyond me. His passing was off, he lost 2/3 ground duels, 5/6 aerial duels (something we’ve become accustomed to him being great at) and he was a passenger in our attacking play with some soft giveaways too.
What makes it even more astounding is that his substitution was enforced as he only came off with a groin injury (and even then, he whinged that he didn’t want to come off) and there needs to be a more proactive approach to the subs especially when players are performing poorly and games aren’t going our way.
Yet, the Miley sub was a game-changing moment. His excellent headed goal was the headline, but he also battled well; recovered the ball twice and his increased technical quality saw us better control the game as we had big chances to score a game killing third via Thiaw and Murphy who hit the post for the second in the game for United.
Has the youngster made a case to start the derby? We’ll have to wait and see, as admittedly his other stats (0/2 ground duels won, lost possession four times, and just 4/7 accurate passes) aren’t great but the vibe just seemed to improve when the lad came on.
Liked/Disliked: A decent result but a better side punishes us
Opta had given every side on ten points a 100% chance of advancing before yesterday’s games, so with that in mind, the result and the point are most welcome. But the familiar failing of surrendering a lead and not seeing a game out has bitten us hard (again!) and, for my money, a better side than Leverkusen would’ve beaten us on Wednesday.
With the PSV home game still to come (and our generally excellent home form) you would expect us to get a result in our penultimate match of the league phase and, at a minimum, qualify for the playoff round.
Still, the mentality of this side is a huge worry, and the senior players like Tonali (who has been uncharacteristically poor since his illness), Burn, Bruno and Gordon must step up and take accountability soon as something isn’t quite right.
We need to grab a game by the scruff of the neck and see it out by hook or by crook or win a game when we have our backs against the wall as the manager (who is not performing to his best either at the minute) can only do so much from the sidelines, and he can’t stop his defenders dropping deep from the touchline no matter how much he screams at them not to.
Anyway, it’s a nice easy game coming up this weekend, so…
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