Almiron proves the new Toon hero
IT would have been one of the memorable Gallowgate goals. Home debutant Miguel Almiron, sent clear on goal, chipping the goalkeeper from 20 yards. But then a post intervened.
A lesser soul may have rued the passing of such a glorious chance, especially after just 12 minutes.
And the £21million club-record signing could have been forgiven for wishing to call time on his full Premier League bow when, eight minutes later, Tommy Smith’s studs landed on his shin.
Huddersfield’s skipper was swiftly dismissed and, for a moment, it looked as if Almiron would be following him down the tunnel on a stretcher as he lay clutching his lower leg.
When Almiron did finally hop to his feet it won a mighty cheer, yet that was nothing compared to the roar in St James’ Park when he went off with nine minutes left.
Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez were the scorers and both were excellent, but the pace and purpose injected by the Paraguayan was the ‘something different’ Benitez had talked about on the eve of the game.
‘The fans can appreciate he has energy and is dynamic,’ Benitez said afterwards. ‘These type of players, fans normally love them. I am sure if he carries on like this, and scores a goal, then fans will enjoy him. He has good pace and movement behind defenders. It was a pity he did not score.’
It was a third home win on the spin to move the Magpies four points clear of danger, and 17 better off than bottom-placed Huddersfield. Town boss Jan Siewert said they would ‘keep fighting’, yet his flat delivery did not tally with his statement of intent. Their Premier League adventure is done. Almiron’s is just beginning.
NewcastLe (3-4-3): Dubravka 6.5; Schar 6.5, Lascelles 7, Lejeune 7.5; Yedlin 6.5, Longstaff 7.5, Hayden 7, Ritchie 6.5 (Kenedy 68min, 6.5); Perez 7.5, Rondon 7.5 (Joselu 84), Almiron 8 (Atsu 81). Booked: Yedlin, Ritchie. subs (not used): Woodman, Dummett, Ki, Manquillo. HuddersfieLd (4-1-3-2): Lossl 7.5; Smith 4, Jorgensen 6, Schindler 5, Lowe 5; Hogg 6; Puncheon 5 (Hadergjonaj 24, 5), Bacuna 5 (Billing 69, 5.5), Mooy 5; Kachunga 5, Depoitre 6 (Mounie 76, 5). sent off: Smith (20min). subs (not used): Hamer, Kongolo, Billing, Grant, Stankovic. referee: K Friend 7.