Ay, Perez is proving a chip off the old block!
SUPER STRIKER FOLLOWS IN FOOTSTEPS OF HERO ALBERT
OH, I have never enjoyed a maths lesson as much as this!
United stormed to safety with their first away Premier League victory since New Year’s Day and their third win on the spin. Wonderful numbers which add up to bliss.
For the second week running the winner was struck by Ayoze Perez, a matchstick man with as much impact as those painted by Lowry walking the industrial north.
Schmeichel is a name legendary in goalkeeping circles – but made to look chumps not champs when Newcastle are in opposition.
Dad Peter was audaciously chipped by Philippe Albert when off his line up here back in 1996, while Perez showed as much ingenuity and technique to take out son Kasper at Leicester.
This is a proper Newcastle side now – United in endeavour and determination with confidence surging through all veins.
While Rafa Benitez deserves all the credit pouring from Geordie hearts his players must share in the mass applause. They have brilliantly executed the game plan.
More facts and figures? Since the beginning of January United have gleaned 19 points from 11 league games, 13 points in the last six matches, with defeats only at Manchester City and Liverpool in 2018.
All that has taken the black-andwhites to a heady 10th place. Wow.
There were many United heroes at the King Power Stadium - Perez of course, Paul Dummett for his scything tackles, Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey for bossing centre midfield, Kenedy for seeing things others do not.
It was Shelvey who brought United their 18th-minute lead after Jamie Vardy gave the ball away and Perez cut inside to devastating effect.
Shelvey, standing in the D, dummied to shoot, shifted the ball to make space sending two defenders the wrong way and smacked a shot which flew in via the arm of Ben Chilwell.
Newcastle bossed the first half when referee Stuart Attwell managed to get two major decisions wrong – Harry Maguire ought to have been red-carded for pushing Dwight Gayle in the face and Dummett was lucky not to have a penalty awarded against him for downing Riyad Mahrez.
If Leicester stepped up the pace after the interval United stood firm to sucker-punch them on 74 minutes. Wes Morgan – how did he skipper a PL championship winning side? – inexplicably allowed a long punt to bounce and that was the only invitation Perez required. Seeing Schmeichel off his line, the Spaniard executed a marvellous lob from all of 25 yards which bulged the net.
Perez now stands alone as United’s top marksman with six goals, his last two winners of very contrasting styles.
It was a close-in rapier thrust that killed off Huddersfield, an effort of beauty which lowered Leicester’s flag. The man is on fire.
Maybe City clawed one back with six minutes to go when Vardy poked home his customary goal, his 19th, but United assuredly saw the game out.
The Foxes have scored more 90th-minute goals than any other top-flight side – six – but not here. No siree.
We are made of sterner stuff these days.
Imagine what might be achieved if United had an owner who actually was prepared to enthusiastically aim for glory – not gung-ho but in a business-like fashion with an eye to capitalising on having the huge advantage of a massive fan base and a world-class manager.
That combination gives an owner a real chance if he is a genuine football lover who understands the game rather than a businessman with a one-eyed approach towards making the big buck.
Maybe that is why Amanda Staveley has emerged from the shadows again.