CRYING SHANE
Long goal denies McClaren a victory
WHEN Steve McClaren took to the field after his pulsating return to the Premier League, he could not have been sure of the fans’ response.
What the former England boss got in return for offering applause to all four corners of St James’ Park was an early sign of approval. For while his Newcastle side had surrendered their lead and came close to losing in added time, the Toon Army had at least been entertained.
Such enjoyment was in short supply last season but a trio of summer signings played a leading role in the proceedings. Georginio Wijnaldum was man of the match and scorer of a sumptuous header, Chancel Mbemba — the man with four birthdays and who arrived at the ground in a tuxedo suit — showed a maturity beyond his supposed 21 years, while Aleksandar Mitrovic was booked within seconds of his introduction for a thunderous challenge on Matt Targett.
But that ugly incident merely added to the drama of a captivating contest in which Graziano Pelle headed the opener, Papiss Cisse and Wijnaldum put Newcastle ahead, then substitute Shane Long salvaged a point for the visitors.
McClaren, making his return to a Premier League dugout eight years after being sacked by England, could not hide his satisfaction. He said: ‘I appreciated the crowd reaction at the end. It was good to see.’
Expectation was not high following a draining pre-season which included a Stateside tour and four defeats, but McClaren said: ‘I’m delighted with what I saw. For 75 minutes we were excellent. We didn’t play smart after that and I think fatigue had a lot to do with it.
‘We went a goal down but what a great response we got. They stayed patient and kept creating chances and we got ourselves in front.’
McClaren was still taking his seat when his side’s second goal went in, Wijnaldum scoring an early contender for goal of the month two minutes after the break. Southampton squandered possession from a corner and Cisse sprang Gabriel Obertan down the right. The winger gave chase and delivered first time on the half-volley to Wijnaldum who soared to finish the most incisive of breakaways.
‘What a great goal that was,’ said McClaren. ‘I was running up and down but thankfully I saw it. I jumped about a bit.’
Two minutes before the interval Cisse had turned in a deflected cross with his chest from pointblank range, cancelling out Pelle’s towering header on 25 minutes. Then Long rose at the far post 11 minutes from time to flash his header from Dusan Tadic’s cross into the bottom corner.
Saido Mane then wasted two chances to win it for Southampton. First he was denied by a sliding Jack Colback inside the six-yard box before firing the wrong side of the upright from 12 yards.
Saints assistant Erwin Koeman, taking charge as brother Ronald recovers from achilles surgery, said: ‘It’s not a bad start to the season but if you get the chance to win then you have to win if you are professional.
‘They had some problems with us in the last 10 minutes and we had some big chances. But we gave a great reaction after going behind and were disappointed not to win the game.’
Koeman was not impressed with former Anderlecht man Mitrovic, who was also accused of landing an elbow on Maya Yoshida. On the lunge that saw the striker cautioned, Koeman said: ‘It was unnecessary to do that in the corner. If he touches him then he puts him in hospital. But Mitrovic is a player like that. He is a good signing but he has to learn.’
McClaren added: ‘If he’d got a red we could not have had any complaints. But that’s what he is. He certainly doesn’t hold back.’
You can see that the home fans are going to enjoy watching the fiery Serb this season. It is that excitement that McClaren must maintain if he is to keep the Geordies on board. He has certainly made a good start.