Benitez vents fury as record hopes dashed by Blackburn SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Newcastle United began the match with thoughts of writing their names in the record books, but ended it being taught a useful lesson about the dangers of complacency as a nine-game winning run was brought to an end by Blackburn Rovers.
Had they won, Newcastle would have broken the club record for consecutive wins set by Kevin Keegan’s revered ‘Entertainers’ side in 1994, but manager Rafael Benítez will have to make do with sharing that accolade – at least for now.
Newcastle remain on course for promotion – they are six points clear of third place – but for the first time in months they looked like a team who belong in the Championship, rather than a Premier League outfit who have somehow ended up there.
This was a classic smash and grab by Rovers, but they deserved the three points because they executed their game plan superbly. “That was the key to it,” said Blackburn manager Owen Coyle. “We had to stand toe to toe, go man for man all over the pitch and we had to stop Newcastle dictating play.”
Newcastle were terrible in the first half and although they were better in the second, did not take their chances.
“I’m very disappointed,” said an angry Benítez. “I didn’t like the way we started the game, I didn’t like our reaction when we fell behind, I didn’t like the chances we didn’t take and I didn’t like my decisions [to change six players]. I didn’t like the way we played the game and we have to show more character, we allowed them to play the game they wanted to play: stop, start, foul; stop, start, free-kicks. The only positive is we have to remember how well we have been playing.”
Only a fantastic save from Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow prevented Danny Graham’s looping header giving Rovers the lead in the first half.
Newcastle emerged with far more purpose after half-time. Christian Atsu should have scored when he was picked out by Ayoze Pérez and Matt Ritchie had another excellent chance, but his half-volley went narrowly over.
Benítez remained agitated on the touchline and Newcastle still failed to fire properly as Jonjo Shelvey had a long-range effort tipped round the post by Jason Steele and Ciaran Clark shot against the goalkeeper’s legs.
It was a vital save as Rovers finally made one of their set-pieces count when Charlie Mulgrew sent a volley beyond Darlow.