Rooney piles more misery on Benitez as takeover looms
A day that began with renewed optimism that Mike Ashley was close to selling Newcastle United ended with a reminder of the perilous state he will leave them in if he does finally agree a price to end his 10 acrimonious years on Tyneside.
Rather than signal the start of a new era, with Amanda Staveley waiting to discover if her latest bid for the club has been accepted, this was a depressing confirmation of the mistakes that have led them to this point.
Having built a team to get out of the Championship last season, Newcastle are in danger of heading back there with largely the same group of players.
As for manager Rafa Benitez, he remains largely immune from criticism, but after seven defeats in eight games, not everything can be blamed on an unpopular owner.
Newcastle played pretty well, but they conceded a soft goal, hit the woodwork twice and slowly but surely ran out of attacking ideas.
They are a limited team on a wretched run. When they shore up their defence, they lose their attacking threat. Benitez has changed formations and tinkered with personnel, without success. He warned Ashley this could happen, but takes no pleasure from being proved right.
Everton merely had to be organised, disciplined and take the one clear chance that was gifted to them, scored by Wayne Rooney, in the first half.
It was their first away win for 11 months and Sam Allardyce has already got to grips with their problems.
“That surprised me, the fact we hadn’t won away for so long,” said Allardyce. “So, I’m delighted to get the three points and a defensive performance that kept Newcastle pretty quiet.
“I’ve come into clubs in trouble before, but I haven’t turned things around so quickly. I think this was a good time to play Newcastle, they haven’t won for a long time and that tests you.”
Ashley has not been to a home game all season. He is no longer interested in the football side of things – it is debatable if he ever was – and is more concerned with extracting as much money as possible from Staveley.
He wants out, but only on terms agreeable to him. It is typical of this stubborn, belligerent billionaire that, even when the club are on the brink of being sold, he can still test the patience of all those who long to see him leave.
Newcastle’s need for points is even more pressing than their need for a new owner. They began well – as they tend to at home – but did not create a clear chance. Everton soaked up the pressure and waited for their hosts to make a mistake, which they are always likely to do.
The contest was scrappy, disjointed, riddled with errors, poor control and loose passes. Matt Ritchie produced Newcastle’s best moment, a rasping shot that rattled the post with such ferocity that the frame of the goal continued to wobble for some time after the ball had been cleared. Seconds later, Newcastle were behind, thanks to a howler from goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who failed to hold on to a tame header from Aaron Lennon, which allowed Rooney to prod the ball home from close range. It was Rooney’s seventh goal in his last eight league games.
Newcastle’s luck has disappeared and they hit the other post before half-time, this time when Mikel Merino caught a shot sweetly from 30 yards. Dwight Gayle had an easier chance before the interval, but shot straight at Jordan Pickford.
Everton controlled the pace of the game superbly in the second half, but the home crowd stayed with their team, urging, imploring them to score.
They came close, Jamaal Lascelles just unable to turn in Florian Lejeune’s header, but in the main Everton’s defence held firm and they almost scored a second through Ashley Williams’ glancing header.
Newcastle’s misery was completed by a needless sending off for Jonjo Shelvey, deep into stoppage time, for a second bookable offence. He is one of their best players, but the blemishes in his temperament are as obvious as the flaws in the team he plays for.
“I have the same feeling all the fans will have,” said Benitez. “We started the game well, we had chances and we were on top of them and then we made a mistake. It was difficult after that.”
Newcastle United Sent off Everton Referee Booked
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