NEWCASTLE WEST HAM
PERHAPS the only thing more unexpected than a Newcastle victory to secure their top- fl ight safety, was to hear from Mike Ashley.
For both to happen in the space of two hours capped the latest muchwatch season of North- Eastenders in predictably unpredictable style.
Almost equally implausible as a fi rst victory in 11 games, capped by an emotional farewell goal from Jonas Gutierrez, was the utterly unexpected appearance on Sky by Ashley.
He was no doubt coming down from the “other planet” from which he runs the club, according to Kevin Keegan, in an equally compelling interview earlier in the day.
The 50- year- old billionaire’s mea culpa was a fi rst public utterance in almost 3,000 days at the helm, his two minutes on air coming with the promise of better times ahead and the pledge that he will not sell up until there has been an addition to the St James’ Park trophy cabinet.
Before Moussa Sissoko rose between Winston Reid and Aaron Cresswell to head home a centre from Gutierrez nine minutes into the second- half, it was free season to insert your own punchline about that trophy most likely being next season’s Championship title.
After Vurnon Anita somehow gifted the ball to West Ham keeper Adrian as half the Newcastle team bore down on his goal, Gutierrez, in what is likely to be his fi nal appearance for the club with his contract set not to be renewed, made sure of a fi rst victory since the end of February.
The outpouring of emotion from the stands was matched only by that on the pitch and technical area as Gutierrez found the bottom corner with a defl ected effort from 20 yards, tearing off his shirt to embark on a celebration that will live long in the memory.
After overcoming testicular cancer, the Argentinian is used to winning more important battles than those simply against relegation. But the 31- year- old, one of the squad who went down in 2009, leaves with his place in the hearts of supporters assured.
John Carver may have a little more work to do before he can consider himself in the same category when it comes to the affections of fans.
This was just a third victory in his turbulent 19- game managerial reign, though the 50- year- old reiterated his desire to take on the role full- time, which remains highly unlikely given his woeful win ratio.
He said: “Two days ago, I sat with Jonas in my offi ce and said to him you could write fairytale.
“He’s been a top player for his club, recovered from the illness and I told him he could be the one to get us that goal to get over the line, which he did.”
Six years ago, Newcastle’s ineptitude condemned them to the Championship as Hull survived. This time the roles were reversed, as Steve Bruce’s side saw their two- year stay in the top fl ight ended by a goalless draw with
STAT OF THE GAME
Just 2,921 days after becoming owner, Mike Ashley gave his fi rst TV interview, a fascinating twoand- a- half- minute insight to Sky
your
own Manchester United which was rendered irrelevant by events on his native Tyneside.
Newcastle even had the satisfaction of climbing above Sunderland as they earned Ashley another £ 5 million in merit bonus payments by rising to 15th, although that was a mere sub- plot on a day of unfolding drama.
“I have every sympathy for Steve Bruce,” said Carver, dedicating the victory to Liam Sweeney and John Alder, the Newcastle supporters who died in the fl ight MH17 tragedy.
“We know we can’t afford to get ourselves in this situation ever again. We all know we’ve made mistakes but Mike’s come out and said a lot of positive things and I’ve had assurances we’re going to spend money. The fans can look forward to players coming through the door this summer.”
It was a 12th away game in succession without a win for West Ham, who mistakenly confi rmed the departure of Sam Allardyce during the game, his reign ended after four years due to disagreements with the club’s hierarchy over transfer policy.
Enner Valencia was denied an early penalty when felled in the area by the recalled Mike Williamson, while Stewart Downing ought to have scored when shooting straight at Tim Krul.
“I’m leaving on a high,” Allardyce said. “That’s not in terms of today, but in terms of what we’ve achieved in the last four years.”
NEWCASTLE ( 4- 4- 2):
Goals: WEST HAM ( 4- 4- 2):
Referee:
Booked:
Booked: