MATCH FACTS WORTH THE After 324 days... Almiron scores his first Toon goal
MIGUEL ALMIRON never stopped smiling, or working hard, during a 324-day wait for his first Newcastle goal.
So when he smashed home a volley from 12 yards out to win this game, the celebrations were more fierce than usual. It was a big moment for club and player.
He said: “I believe many more goals are on the way. I thought about my family who have supported me when I scored.”
Steve Bruce ran on to the pitch and could hardly contain his joy. “My hip nearly came out celebrating, and my knee,” he said. “I got carried away.”
Almiron ran to the corner flag and hugged a ball boy, joined by team-mates and subs. Even referee Simon Hooper had a laugh as he showed Almiron a yellow card for whirling his shirt around his head.
Relief, mixed with joy. For the win, but also for a selfless, dedicated young player who had toiled hard to justify being a club record signing in January last year.
Magpies boss Bruce added: “I am delighted. He is a great pro, great lad and popular. You want people like that to succeed. He has got it off his back.
“He played a bit deeper today. He has played there in the US. He scored and it was his best performance for a while.”
When United spent a then-record £20million on the Paraguayan, who delivered goals and the MLS title to Atlanta last year, the Geordies expected more of an immediate impact.
It took a towering head down from Andy Carroll, from a Fabian Schar cross, to hand Almiron his moment. One bounce, and smash. A goal in his 26th start. More will come.
“The fans realise he’s a good player,” Bruce said explaining why no one had got on his case. “They are educated in what they see. He lit the place up, gave us sparkle when he arrived last season.”
The victory hoisted Newcastle up to ninth. Top half at Christmas is beyond the expectation of fans who stayed loyal and those who boycotted in the summer when Rafa Benitez walked away saying they had no ambition.
The mean streak in Newcastle has seen them concede just seven goals at home this season – only
■ Newcastle United are unbeaten in their last eight home Premier League matches (W4 D4), their longest home run since in April 2012 (nine unbeaten).
Leicester have leaked fewer.
That’s a platform that Bruce’s gritty side are using well. They are 10 points clear of the drop zone, always their first target, and ahead of Arsenal, but you wouldn’t guess that by the quality of football on show.
This season grit, organisation, tenacity and spirit can take a side far, squeezing out wins from tight games.
Bruce added: “We have some hard games ahead. Man U, Everton, Leicester, it is relentless. They have a good spirit and a good attitude to go to work. They keep having a go.”
Newcastle and Palace had just 32 goals between them this season, and as expected this wasn’t a classic.
Bruce surprised Roy Hodgson by switching formations and picking a five-man midfield, Almiron dropping out of attack to the left side of a central trio.
Palace’s best chance fell to Wilfried Zaha in the first half 10 yards out but Martin
Dubravka saved well.
Zaha and Patrick Van Aanholt exchanged sharp words after the home side scored. Eagles boss Hodgson said: “They might have had words about how the pair of them defended the cross.
“To concede so close to the end was disappointing. We created a lot of chances. We didn’t take them.”
Newcastle still have work to do up front. Joelinton was repeatedly flat-footed in the box and subbed after 75 minutes, well short of justifying his £40m summer transfer fee.
He can learn from the perseverance of Almiron and hope his time will come.