FINAL PASS LET US DOWN –BENITEZ
EVERTON 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
RafaBenitezbemoanedNewcastle United’s final ball – and referee Robert Madley – after his team’s winning run was brought to an end.
Everton won 1-0 at Goodison Park last night thanks to a second-half strike from Theo Walcott.
Benitez was frustrated that his side couldn’t play a telling pass in the final third of the pitch - and was also unhappy with Madley.
“Both teams didn’t have very clear chances, but I think we could have done better with final pass in the final third,” said Benitez.
“It might have been different for us if we had. This kind of game when they are very physical, and the referee allows them to do these things, they are at home and they have quality, and they took their chance. We didn’t take our chances.
“When I talk about chances I talk about final passes too.”
On a penalty appeal for handball against Everton’s Phil Jagielka, Benitez added: “It doesn’t matter. Whatever I say will not change anything.”
Benitez changed a winning team and handed striker Islam Slimani, on loan from Leicester City, his first start for United.
However, the 29-year-old didn’t get a sight of goal.
“Islam worked hard,” said Benitez.
“The understanding between him and the rest of the team will take some time. In terms of effort, I was happy with him.
“I say it again, we had chances. The final pass and in the final third ... we didn’t take our chances.
“That is the difference when you have Walcott or (Wayne) Rooney on these wages, they can make the difference.
“We battled and we fought until the end. We had the chance to draw, maybe even win but we lost against a good team. That’s it.”
The goal came from Yannick Bolasie’s deep cross and though Walcott was unable to bring the ball under control originally, it came back off DeAndre Yedlin and the ex-Arsenal winger made space to smash into the roof of the net.