A massive achievement for the players, the city and the fans
Rafa on United’s Premier League survival – with WEEKS to spare:
EVEN Rafa Benitez, a man of cautious belt-and-braces approach, must now accept that he has masterminded willing and loyal troops to Premier League safety.
A monster four home victories on the spin, started against Manchester United and completed at the expense of Arsenal, has sent Geordies into dreamland.
This was United’s first victory over the Gunners at home since December 2005 and they did it the hard way, battling back from a goal down.
If you could bottle what this Newcastle side has, you could sell it and make a million!
So much credit must go to so few from so many delirious fans.
Arsenal had posted their intent after only quarter of an hour with the opening goal – the first conceded by Martin Dubravka at SJP in 284 minutes.
A straight long ball from Shkodran Mustafi flew almost 60 yards dissecting DeAndre Yedlin and Jamaal Lascelles for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to drill across goal where Alexandre Lacazette finished with aplomb.
The goal could have knocked the stuffing out of United given the way Arsenal keep possession to run your blood to water but instead they kept going through their newfound confidence and equalised just before the half-hour mark.
And it was Ayoze Perez who scored for the third successive game. He looks more suited to riding in the Grand National such is his slight build, but determination and stealth make up for physique.
Jonjo Shelvey picked out Dwight Gayle, who ran in behind a bemused Mustafi to feed Yedlin, whose delicious cross was flicked in at the near post by the right boot of Perez.
Maybe Gayle and Perez didn’t hear the final whistle such were their relentless endeavours, but for large periods of this match it was all about the guy who can’t stop scoring and the guy who can’t start.
Gayle may have only two goals in his last 19 appearances but his was yet again a vital contribution. His willing running, clever movement off the ball, had Arsenal defenders twitching throughout his stay.
Not that Gayle’s replacement, Islam Slimani, failed to register – his header across goal in the 69th minute set up the winner as Perez flicked on and Matt Ritchie buried a rightfooter.
A Matt finish indeed to fine brush strokes – Ritchie got the winner against Man U and now the deciding goal against Arsenal.
United possess much over the whole of the park but they have two beasts in midfield who can dictate any match.
Paul Gascoigne, in the SJP crowd, would above all most appreciate what Shelvey and Mo Diame bring to the party. Shelvey’s passing is rapierlike and hurts defenders, while Diame has the strength of a bull and just as much determination. He is the safety valve who allows Shelvey to go and play.
United are unrecognisable from the side which made regular visits to the bottom in the first half of the season. Even Mike Ashley must recognise that and realise he simply HAS to hold on to Rafa by doing the right thing. Until he agrees to pack up and leave.