Benitez’s faith in Joselu pays dividends
Rafa Benitez’s faith in striker Joselu paid off as the Spaniard fired Newcastle United’s equaliser in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool.
Benitez stood by the 27-year-old despite a series of missed chances in the previous two games, and the availability of Aleksandar Mitrovic after suspension. The ex-Stoke man was in the right place at the right time to score Newcastle’s 36th-minute equaliser.
Jonjo Shelvey played a superb through ball and Joel Matip, tracking Joselu, slid into challenge the striker, with the ball rebounding off his shin and into the net to cancel out Philippe Coutinho’s stunning opener, an arcing shot beyond Rob Elliot’s despairing dive.
“I told him before the game that he didn’t have to worry about missing opportunities,” revealed Benitez.
“He just had to make sure he worked hard for the team, won the ball in the air, held up the ball and linked the attack with midfield. “He put in a lot of hard work, and this time he scored a goal as well. You can’t ask for more.” Liverpool were dominant before the break. But Newcastle limited their second-half chances and created opportunities of their own in a late push. “They had the possession. We had to play counterattack, and we can be a little bit better in the way we play counter-attack,” added Benitez.
“The lads did a great job, and maybe with a bit more composure on the ball, we could have scored another goal.”