Of Ginola’s old genius
sheet at Newcastle isn’t bad but that was a top-class display. All that was missing was a goal – and that is crucial to winning games.”
Norwich are reckoned to be among the better footballing sides rooted to the foot of the table in the Premier League era.
And Newcastle must be one of the very least convincing to be holding a mid-table slot.
Much of the narrative fuelled this theory, especially in a first half where the visitors forced seven corners and, for the umpteenth time, Dubravka produced his heroics.
“What’s important when you play so poorly, is that you don’t get beaten,” said Magpies boss Steve Bruce.
“That is the only positive, along with the introduction of the three new lads who will help us.
“But from the off we looked tired and jaded, especially up front. We gave away possession far too easily.”
From the Canaries’ first corner on five minutes, Dubravka pulled off a stunning save to keep out Sam Byram’s header, and 12 minutes later Pukki saw the Slovakian tip his volley over the bar.
The Geordies’ sole tactic seemed to be feeding Allan SaintMaximin and hoping his box of tricks would produce some magic.
He did cause problems, but Toon’s best first-half chance came from the opposite flank when
Miguel Almiron should have headed home.
Newcastle were marginally better after the break but Pukki will be kicking himself he didn’t win it for Norwich, blazing over in the 62nd minute when completely unmarked inside the box.
WATFORD EVERTON 2 ............. Shots on Target ........... 5 5 ............. Shots off Target ........... 4 4 ............... BlockedShots ............ 3 4 ..................... Corners ................... 4 17 ....................... Fouls .................... 14 0 ..................... Offsides .................. 2 2 ................. Yellow Cards .............. 2 0 ................... Red Cards ................. 1 68.9 .... Passing Success %.. 73.8 67 ................. Duels Won .............. 72 48.2 ....... Duel Success % ...... 51.8 14 ..................... Tackles .................. 21 50.0 ........ Tackles Won % ...... 66.7 44.4 ......... Possession % ....... 55.6 49.6 ...... Territorial Adv % .... 50.4 363 ............. Total Passes ......... 443 12 ............... Total Crosses ........... 27 168 ............... Lost Balls ............. 168 67 ................ Recoveries ............. 64 38.2 ......... 1st Half Poss % ....... 61.8 51.2 ........ 2nd Half Poss % ..... 48.8
NEWCASTLE NORWICH 5 ............. Shots on Target ........... 4 4 ............. Shots off Target ........... 9 6 ............... BlockedShots ............ 6 8 ..................... Corners .................. 12 10 ....................... Fouls .................... 15 3 ..................... Offsides .................. 0 2 ................. Yellow Cards ............... 1 0 ................... Red Cards ................ 0 80.2 .... Passing Success %... 81.4 62 ................. Duels Won .............. 59 51.2 ......... Duel Success % ..... 48.8 16 ..................... Tackles ................... 11 81.3 ......... Tackles Won % ...... 63.6 43.3 ......... Possession % ....... 56.7 49.7 ....... Territorial Adv % .... 50.3 364 ............ Total Passes ......... 483 27 .............. Total Crosses ........... 27 129 ................ Lost Balls .............. 141 54 ................ Recoveries ............... 61 45.7 ......... 1st Half Poss % ...... 54.3 40.9 ...... 2nd Half Poss % ....... 59.1