ALMIRON RELIEF
Miguel finally breaks scoring duck to lift Toon
YOU did not need VAR to check the legitimacy of this goal, more the identity of the scorer — had Miguel Almiron really just found the back of the net?
The Paraguayan was in danger of going the entirety of 2019 without a goal and, given he cost £21million in January, that would have been a source of embarrassment, no matter how hard Steve Bruce has tried to celebrate his workrate.
But then, as his 27th appearance ticked towards another scoreless expiry, he had his chance.
It helped that he did not have to think about it for, given the luxury of time, Almiron has looked weighed down by his options and has invariably chosen the wrong one.
Not here. There was one avenue to pursue and that was blast it towards goal from 10 yards. The outcome? A goal. At last.
He celebrated by tossing his shirt in the air and sprinting into the arms of a ballboy, as is in vogue.
There was no message on Almiron’s black vest, perhaps it has faded in the past 11 months.
But actions speak louder than words and the manner in which he stood, arms outstretched in front of the Gallowgate End told of his relief. Bruce had set off towards his match-winner only to abandon that plan.
‘I nearly did a Jose Mourinho, my hip has come out!’ said Newcastle’s manager. ‘Even I got carried away.
‘But I’m delighted for him. Everyone who has seen him play will know he is a very good player, a great lad and very popular — you want people like that to succeed. Thankfully he’s got it off his back.’
A mention too for the creator, for Andy Carroll made giant strides to connect with Fabian Schar’s deep cross and his leap was just as mammoth, cushioning for Almiron to lash home.
Carroll with his head is just as accurate as most with their feet and, without his mighty nod, Almiron’s drought would have gone on.
He was booked for his shirt-shedding celebration but he did not care, his fist still pumping the air as the card was apologetically flashed by Simon Hooper.
Elsewhere, Palace team-mates Wilfried Zaha and Patrick van Aanholt argued furiously in front of Roy Hodgson’s dugout.
‘They might have had words in how they could have defended the cross better,’ said the manager.
‘They were disappointed to concede the goal so close to the end. So yes, they might have had a word, but that doesn’t surprise you when those things happen.’ said Hodgson, though, was surprised by the result. To be fair, he had reason to be.
Palace were awful in the first half yet still fashioned the best chance and were much improved after the interval.
The reason they did not score was entirely down to Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka as opposed to errant finishing.
On three occasions he saved his side, blocking Zaha’s low drive in the first half before snaffling at the feet of James McArthur in the second and then keeping out Christian Benteke’s goal-bound drill.
That victory moves Bruce’s side into the top half of the table and, more significantly, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
It has not been pretty — and it certainly wasn’t here — but it is hard to grumble with results and the Magpies will be as good as safe with a profitable return over
Christmas. Bruce’s decision to revert to a 3-5-2 formation was brave given how badly it had served them earlier in the season.
However, with Almiron dropped into a midfield three, the forward benefited from the extra space and was key as Newcastle bossed the opening 20 minutes.
But as he faded so did the team and they needed Dubravka to keep them in it before Almiron had his chance to win it seven minutes from time. Was it worth the wait?
Certainly. Now he and Bruce can only hope that, like Christmas, such moments do not come around just once a year.
NEWCASTLE (3-5-2): Dubravka 8; Schar 6.5, Fernandez 6.5, Lejeune 7; Manquillo 7.5, Hayden 5.5 (S Longstaff 64min, 6.5), Shelvey 6.5, Almiron 7.5, Dummett 6.5 (Yedlin 90); Joelinton 5 (Gayle 77), Carroll 7. Booked: Almiron, Schar. Subs (not used): Darlow, Krafth, Atsu, M Longstaff.
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-3-3): Guaita 6.5; Kelly 6, Tomkins 6.5, Kouyate 6, Van Aanholt 6; McCarthy 6, Milivojevic 6.5, McArthur 6 (Meyer 80); Zaha 6.5, Benteke 6, Ayew 6. Subs (not used): Hennessey, Wickham, Woods, Pierrick, Daly, Riedewald.
Referee: S Hooper 7.