Everything will be Al-right now Hispanics make Magpies mark
Newcastle 2 Huddersfield 0
NEWCASTLE United took a significant step towards survival with an extremely important 2-0 victory over bottom-ofthe-table Huddersfield Town at St James’ Park.
Here is what we learned from an uplifting afternoon on Tyneside.
ALMIRON PROVES AN INSTANT HIT – AND IGNITES NEWCASTLE’S ATTACK
It would have been a huge shock if Benitez had not named Almiron in the United starting XI against Huddersfield, even though the Magpies manager had refused to confirm all week whether the Paraguayan would make his full Newcastle debut.
However, there was still added excitement around St James’ Park once the teamsheet was released and Almiron was in the XI at the expense of the unlucky Christian Atsu.
Playing just off Rondon and alongside Perez in a 3-4-2-1 formation, Benitez opted to field Almiron alongside two fellow Spanish speakers – almost certainly in order to aid with communication, given the fact the former Atlanta United forward is not fluent in English. The anticipation was palpable inside the ground before kick-off.
Wor Flags unfurled a magnificent banner in Almiron’s honour which read “Wor Almiron Quiero Contar Contigo”, which roughly translates as “we want to rely on you” – and it did not take long before supporters saw the Paraguayan in full flow.
In the 12th minute, Rondon laid the ball back to Isaac Hayden, who threaded a lovely through-ball to release Almiron – and the Paraguayan’s deft chip rebounded off the post before his Venezuelan team-mate also rattled the woodwork.
That moment y injected fear into the Huddersfield defence, too, and they were inexplicably playing a high line which allowed Newcastle’s counterattacking game plan to blossom.
Time and again Almiron broke in behind the Terriers’ backline and he forced a great save from the excellent Jonas Lossl down to the goalkeeper’s right before also almost embarrassing the shot-stopper with an effort which slipped through his legs.
The sending-off – which was actually instigated by Almiron’s searing pace and Huddersfield’s inability to deal with it – diluted the forward’s influence towards the end of the first half, the Terriers reverting to a deep block and preventing him from countering as effectively.
Given Newcastle’s fast start to the second half, Almiron was afforded greater space, and he floated in the cross which eventually led to Perez’s goal.
Regularly, the Paraguayan stretched the Huddersfield defence after the break before he began drifting more into a No 10 role and regularly linking up with Perez.