It was of little surprise that Sunday’s fixture of 10th against 11th finished as a stalemate, as Newcastle suffered a last minute sucker punch from Peter Crouch and Stoke City, with the match finishing 1-1.
St. James’ Park was glistened by a low but blistering sun across the Gallowgate, even though the actual fixture suited more of a clouded over, muggy, mild grey day.
The early exchanges started very slowly, with both teams reluctant to dictate possession. Both sides wanted to play counter attacking football, which lead to a grotty midfield battle, contested by Sissoko and Colback against Ireland & Glen Whelan.
The first chance fell to Jonathan Walters, muscling off Mike Williamson and taking a shot at Krul’s goal which lacked direction. Walters lacked support around him for the build up, so could’ve felt aggrieved at what could’ve been a potential opportunity to strike first.
Minutes later, some lovely one touch play between Cabella, Sissoko and Sammy Ameobi lead to the first major chance of the game. Moussa clipped a ball into the box, headed on by Cabella – only to be saved by Asmir Begovic’s shoulder.
Stoke started to intensify the game, picking 3 first half bookings and generally slowing play down. Sammy would also be booked for intentionally taking down former-Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley.
Not long after, Ayoze Perez would be played in by Cabella, shrugging off Woschield and narrowly putting the ball the wrong side of the post. The young Spaniard has been starved of service of late, sacrificing himself much more for the team too. The goals will eventually return, either when the team plays to him and not Cabella, or gets the striking partner he needs so he’s not isolated.
Just before half time, Krul is called into action for the first time, making a diving save at his near post from a Diouf header. It would’ve been a cruel turn of fate for Newcastle, an underserved lead prevented.
By the second half, both sides had made no changes and still found it difficult to grind out chances. Carver would subsequently choose to alter his formation and tactics, switching from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, replacing Anita for Cisse & Cabella for Obertan.
As much as the home crowd aggrieved Cabella leaving the pitch, he hadn’t been able to make the same impact he had against Hull. Carver had Palace on Wednesday on his mind, and wanted Remy in good fitness for that match.
Having been previously booked, Colback was self-admitted lucky to still be on the pitch for a second mistimed tackle that Kevin Friend decided to not duly punish him for.
Minutes later however, Colback would break the deadlock. Sissoko with a neat lay off to the ‘Ginger Pirlo’ thumping the ball with his left foot past Begovic.
With 17 minutes of normal time to play, Newcastle looked to grab a second on the break, and had a golden opportunity to do so. Breaking from a corner, Sissoko stormed down field, laying the ball off to Obertan, who unselfishly tried to lay the ball back to Sissoko, which would be intercepted. Had he been more confident with his left foot, perhaps that could’ve been 2-0 and game over.
After that chance had past, Newcastle opted to a 5 man midfield (with Perez on the wing) and to sit off, inviting Stoke pressure. Eventually, Mike Williamson and Newcastle would eventually crack.
A ball whipped in from the right would be dually headed over Krul and into the net by Peter Crouch, Coloccini unable to clear it off the line. This goal was almost a mirror image of the goal conceded at The Britannia in September. It feels like Newcastle have learnt nothing in that respect in 5 months. Yes, Crouch has a distinct height advantage, but I’d expect defenders of Premier League quality to not someone at 6′ 7″ a free header in the dying embers of the match.
With an uneventful 4 minutes injury time, Stoke deservedly finished the match level, no one was worthy of winning. Quite why it was selected for live broadcast baffles me.
On paper this was a disappointing result for the Magpies, but given Stoke’s great form of late and the highs of the victory away at Hull last week, perhaps this was the perfect reality check going to Selhurst Park on Wednesday. Not every game will be as comfortable as at The KC Stadium, so this match against a stern Stoke side shows John Carver’s men will have to up their game. More specifically, the likes of Vurnon Anita showing more ambition going forward.
If Sammy wants a future beyond this summer at Newcastle, he needs work on his passing and crossing accuracy too. 12 times he lost possession on Sunday, more than any other player. He also looked tired come the 70 minute mark, desperately needing replacing far earlier than he was.
Newcastle’s next fixture (as mentioned) is Crystal Palace away on Wednesday night, a fixture I’ll be attending with great anticipation, having been at the league cup fixture last September. A result at Selhurst Park would make Sunday’s Potter stalemate a distant memory.
