Trio prove their value but win still proves fresh faces needed
AWAY FORM LOOKING KEY TO SURVIVAL
NEWCASTLE United claimed back-toback Premier League away victories for the first time since November 2014 as the Magpies started 2018 in perfect fashion with a 1-0 win at relegation rivals Stoke City.
Ayoze Perez scored a second-half winner at the Bet365 Stadium as Rafa Benitez’s men moved up to 13th in the Premier League table, leapfrogging the Potters in the process.
While the Magpies’ home form may remain wretched, their counterattacking is proving devastating on the road at the moment.
Here’s what NUFC Writer Chris Waugh learned on New Year’s Day at the Bet365 Stadium...
MAKESHIFT FORWARD PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS
Everyone expected Benitez to rotate once again given that this was Newcastle’s second game in less than 48 hours, but few would have predicted the XI who started at the Bet365 Stadium.
Both Joselu and Dwight Gayle were dropped to the bench and, for the first time in a long while, Perez adopted a lone-striker role.
He was one of five players who were restored to the starting XI, along with Javier Manquillo, Mo Diame, Jonjo Shelvey and Jacob Murphy.
Alongside Perez’s inclusion as a forward – he has normally operated as a second-striker, No 10 or even a left-sided attacker under Benitez – was the pre-match intrigue over exactly which formation United were going to deploy given that they had three wingers in their line-up and no natural attacking central midfielder.
The most intriguing selection was that of Christian Atsu as a striker, alongside Perez, with the winger operating up top with the Spaniard in a fluid 4-4-2 formation.
With Matt Ritchie on the left of midfield, and Murphy on the right, they were expected to provide the service for the makeshift front two of Perez and Atsu – neither of whom is a conventional centre-forward.
It it took less than five minutes for the two makeshift strikers to combine – with Perez feeding a delicious through-ball for Atsu who, after breaking into the area, saw his shot across goal deflected for a corner.
By the 10th minute, Atsu had also sliced a shot from the edge of the area wide of the far post, when he had time and space to at least force a save out of Jack Butland.
In fact, the opening quarter-of-anhour was very much the Atsu show; after Perez played DeAndre Yedlin in down the right, Atsu found himself free in the six-yard box, but the Ghanaian could only place his shot straight at Butland, who parried out for a corner.
Benitez’s tactics worked a treat during the first half in the sense that Newcastle put the Stoke backline under all sorts of pressure.
But without an out-and-out striker, United did not convert any of their golden opportunities.
As Newcastle went in search of a winner, Dwight Gayle was eventually introduced for Atsu in the 64th minute, given that the Ghanaian’s influence waned after the break.
But it was not last season’s top scorer who delivered the winner.
Instead it was Perez who, having worked tirelessly all day, got himself on to the end of a delicious centred ball from Murphy to prod home.
Benitez’s tactics have been questioned in recent weeks, but this one delivered.
DARLOW SHOWS IMMENSE CHARACTER
It has been a chastening six months for Karl Darlow.
Dropped towards the end of the Championship season, he was transfer-listed over the summer and came close to joining Middlesbrough.
Once that deal collapsed, Darlow was forced to remain on Tyneside as
second choice – before an opportunity presented itself with a recall in late November.
But after just four games and following two costly mistakes, the 27-year-old was once again dropped, and it looked like he may never play for United again.
But Rob Elliot was struck down with an injury in training last week, meaning Darlow was restored to the XI once again on Saturday, making a couple of good saves.
He was crucial to this victory in Staffordshire too. What Darlow may lack in his all-round goalkeeping game he makes up for somewhat with his shot-stopping ability.
Not only did he deny Mame Biram Diouf from point-blank range with two magnificent reflex saves – one of which is up there with the best a Newcastle goalkeeper has produced this season – but he also denied Charlie Adam from a free-kick.
Benitez may want another goalkeeper this month, but Darlow is producing the goods at the moment.
HUGHES’ GAMBLE BACKFIRES
Just like Benitez’s decision to totally overhaul his side in midweek for the Brighton and Hove Albion home game did not reap rewards, neither did Mark Hughes’ gamble at the weekend.
The Welshman fielded a radically weakened side away at Chelsea, and his team were swiftly hammered 5-0 by the Blues.
After the game, he justified his decision to make so many changes – which, given the hectic festive schedule, was understandable – by stating that he expected his team would go on and beat Newcastle.
But that attempt backfired and Newcastle claimed a vital victory over their relegation rivals, leapfrogging the Potters in the table in the process.
PERHAPS SALVATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE ROAD AFTER ALL...
Newcastle have not won at St James’ Park since October. They have collected just one point from the last 18 available on Tyneside, scoring only twice and firing a blank on five occasions. But despite having gone on a run of winning only once away from home in the Premier League in 25 months, they have now claimed back-to-back victories on their travels. It is the first time the Magpies have achieved such a feat in the top flight since November 2014. In fact, Newcastle have now won as many games away from home as they have done at St James’ Park – which is three apiece. Nobody predicted that the Magpies’ salvation this term would be found on their travels but, given that Benitez’s current counter-attacking tactics appear to be better suited to away games, perhaps that might just be the case...
REINFORCEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL ... SOON
With 12 days to go until Newcastle play again in the Premier League, it is essential that reinforcements arrive during that period.
Attention on the pitch turns to Luton Town in the FA Cup third round at St James’ Park on Saturday, but Benitez’s real focus will be on ensuring he is allowed to augment his squad given that the January transfer window is now officially open.
Regardless of how well Benitez’s tactics worked in Staffordshire, the mere fact he played without an outand-out centre-forward highlights the lack of depth at his disposal.
Neither Joselu nor Gayle have impressed enough this season – they have just three strikes apiece so far – and Newcastle desperately need to sign a striker who can guarantee goals during the second half of the campaign.
The players are giving their all on the field, but they need greater support if they are to survive this term.
Mike Ashley may still be on holiday, but he simply must sanction transfers in the coming days so Newcastle can head into the crucial relegation clash with Swansea City at St James’ Park on Saturday-week with a much-needed lift.
The fact Benitez played without an out-and-out centreforward highlights the lack of depth at his disposal