United’s set-piece struggles are so costly as Seagulls nab all three points
INFLUENTIAL RITCHIE SHORT OF INSPIRATION
NEWCASTLE United’s winning run came to an end as they were beaten 1-0 by fellow newly-promoted side Brighton and Hove Albion at The Amex.
Rafa Benitez’s men remain in the top half of the Premier League table but this defeat will be lamented, given that United would have targeted points from this one.
NUFC writer Chris Waugh takes us through what we learned from this defeat.
FROM SET-PIECE STRENGTH TO SET-PIECE STRUGGLES
BACK-TO-BACK victories have been secured by Newcastle’s excellent attacking set pieces. However, this defeat came courtesy of a defensive blunder in such an area.
There was to be no repeat for the third week in succession of the Matt-Ritchie-Jamaal Lascelles combination which had proven to be so effective against both Swansea City and Stoke City. Instead, Ritchie’s delivery was found wanting – as was Jonjo Shelvey’s once he was introduced – and the Magpies proved to be uncharacteristically ineffectual from dead balls.
And, just minutes after the restart, a defensive error cost Newcastle – and from a set-piece too.
Captain Lascelles gave away a cheap free-kick 25 yards out on the left, Pascal Gross directed it towards the back post, where Dale Stephens headed it back across to Tomer Hemed.
On the turn, Hemed lashed a shot past Rob Elliot – and United’s defending of the free-kick certainly left a lot to be desired.
No doubt Benitez – who is a perfectionist, particularly when it comes to set-pieces – will have been left angered by the Magpies’ attempts to defend that play.
You can guarantee work will be done to rid United of those mistakes on the training ground this week.
SOON ENOUGH, JOSELU’S MISSES WERE GOING TO COST UNITED
JOSELU retained Benitez’s faith up front, despite his hat-trick of misses against his former club the previous weekend, primarily due to the fact the United boss likes his forward’s allround game. Goals may not be flowing for Joselu – perhaps unsurprisingly given that he cost United just £5m during the summer – but his hard work and ability to offer Newcastle a focal point ensured he retained his place in the starting XI.
But, despite all the positive work he may do out of possession and away from his finishing, his lack of a clinical touch in front of goal remains a concern.
The 27-year-old wasted a glorious chance to add to his three sitters from the week before midway through the first half.
Ayoze Perez fizzed in a dangerous low cross, Brighton’s defence deflected the ball towards Joselu, who hit a shot just past the far post on the turn from four yards out.
In his defence, the German-born Spaniard was unsighted, but he should still have hit the target at the very least from such point-blank range.
This was always likely to be the main concern about a player who cost just £5m and whose record over the past few years is far from prolific. But if he is to stay in the team ahead of Dwight Gayle, then Joselu simply must start taking some of these opportunities.
Eventually, such profligacy was going to cost United – and, on the south coast, it did.
HUGHTON FINALLY FINDS A WAY TO DEFEAT HIS FORMER EMPLOYERS
IF THERE’S one current Premier
No doubt Benitez – a perfectionist when it comes to set-pieces – will have been angered by attempts to defend that
League manager who Newcastle fans hold deep affection for, other than their very own Benitez of course, it is Hughton.
The 58-year-old took over United at a very difficult moment in the club’s history and expertly led them to promotion, before being harshly sacked the following campaign.
He has done well at just about every club he has been at and Hughton has performed a magnificent job at Brighton, leading the club to the Premier League and this term attempting to stabilise their position in the top flight.
But it is not just his managerial success which so endears him to Newcastle fans; the fact he is a genuinely nice human being also serves him well.
He is very much one of the cliched “nice guys” in football and he is proving you do not have to have a dictatorial style to succeed as a manager.
Hughton has a poor record against his former club. Before this match, he had never beaten the Magpies in six previous attempts – losing on four occasions and drawing two of them.
Well, at the seventh attempt, Hughton has finally found a way to defeat his ex-employers. Newcastle fans wish him well this season but they did not want to see their former boss triumph in this one.
WHEN RITCHIE ISN’T ON SONG, UNITED STRUGGLE
IT SHOWS just how important Ritchie has become to Newcastle’s fortunes that, when he struggles, the entire team lack inspiration.
The 28-year-old had been excellent in all three of the Magpies’ consecutive victories, providing four assists and general match-winning class.
His never-say-die attitude and relentless work rate is infectious; it rubs off on his team-mates.
However, at the Amex, his excellent form deserted him – as it did for many of the Magpies’ best performers so far this term. Ritchie’s endeavour was as high as ever but his accuracy was missing on the south coast. His set-pieces – which have been so deadly in recent weeks – were poor, while his decision-making saw him choose the wrong option in attack and squander a couple of decent openings for United.
This is by no means to criticise Ritchie, however. This was just a disappointing day – he is more than justified one given how many positive outings he has had for Newcastle since joining little more than a year ago.
But what is worrying is that, when Ritchie doesn’t provide the inspiration, United seem to lack ingenuity.
WHEN WILL TV COMPANIES WAKE UP AND REALISE THEY ARE HARMING THE GAME?
FROM the very first minute until the last, the only real sound you could hear with the Amex was that of the travelling Toon Army, who were as vocal, jovial and supportive as ever – packing out an entire end of the ground.
More than 2,500 fans made the 320-mile journey down to the south coast for a late kick-off on a Sunday – and this just a fortnight after the 700-mile round trip to Swansea.
For a game which was shown on TV, this shows immense commitment from Newcastle’s away supporters – but that, as we all know, is nothing new.
It is about time Sky Sports and BT Sport started thinking of fans when they schedule matches.
The clubs may have sold their soul to the live broadcasters for top dollar, but there is no spectacle that is the Premier League without the hardcore home and away fans.
Benitez lamented the timing of the game at his pre-match Press conference, acknowledging how difficult it is for Newcastle supporters to travel down to Brighton for a late match on a Sunday.
He recognises the inherent value of fans to the game we all love so dearly.
We live in hope, but not expectation, that some day the TV companies will realise this too.