Newcastle United have once again made December 6th a day to remember – exactly a year on from the club’s famous 2-1 victory over high-flying Chelsea, who were unbeaten in the Premier League before facing the Magpies.
Ahead of the game, everybody – barring a few hardcore Geordies – had written off Newcastle’s chances of securing any result other than a heavy defeat against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side.
However, Steve McClaren dared to change his side and dropped fan-favourite Ayoze Perez for Dutch outcast Siem de Jong, who has struggled since arriving on Tyneside due to a string of long-term injuries.
The Dutch international was a refreshing sight – at last, a player in a black and white jersey comfortable with retaining possession. He was superb in holding up the ball, bringing fellow teammates into the game and turning defence into attack swiftly.
Fellow compatriots Vurnon Anita and Georginio Wijnaldum also enjoyed De Jong’s build up play which helped bridge the gap between the midfield and Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse.
Wijnaldum’s shot deflected in for the opener and the 25-year-old chipped an onrushing Simon Mignolet to seal the victory in the dying embers, but it was Vurnon Anita who deserved the Man of the Match award for his fine performance.
Here are a selection of the best images from today’s game:
