CHUNKS OUT OF THE RAFA-LUTION
Careless Magpies flop at St James’
TITLE favourites? You must be joking. This was supposed to be a walkover, the dawn of a glorious new era with Huddersfield cast in the role of sacrificial lamb.
It was supposed to be the day when Newcastle rattled in a hatful, banishing last year’s demoralising relegation and an opening-day defeat at Fulham to distant memory.
Sadly for gaffer Rafa Benitez and the 52,000 crammed into St James’ Park, the Terriers didn’t read the script.
Goals from Nahki Wells and sub Jack Payne rendered Dwight Gayle’s leveller irrelevant as a side featuring £43m worth of new talent was humbled by a team assembled for TEN times less.
The Toon – who started the season at 7-12 for the title – now lie just one place above the relegation zone and the optimism engendered by Benitez’ arrival is rapidly draining away.
“We didn’t play at the level we needed to,” said a downcast Benitez. “I have seen the team doing well in the training sessions.
“But now we go to a game and you have to show the same kind of personality, character and quality. We didn’t see that at Fulham and we haven’t seen that here.
“We made too many mistakes in possession. We made bad movements without the ball. If we want to change things, that has to improve.
“The players were trying. They can do much better. Maybe the pressure is affecting some of them. Maybe that is why we aren’t playing at the level we can. It must be because I know they can play better.”
The same cannot be said of David Wagner’s Huddersfield, who thoroughly deserved their second victory of the season.
Having survived an early scare when Gayle headed wide of an open goal, the Terriers quickly settled into their high-tempo pressing game, orchestrated majestically by on-loan Man City midfielder Aaron Mooy.
The 25-year-old boasts neither mobility nor pace but had more composure and class on the ball that the entire Toon side put together.
Prompted by Mooy and the tigerish tackling of Jonathan Hogg, the visiting side harried Newcastle into countless errors and broke with rapier speed.
It was one such thrust that yielded the opener, Rajiv van La Parra crossing for Wells, who spun away from Jamaal Lascelles before scuffing a low shot beyond Matz Sels.
Blasted by Benitez – “I told them I was disappointed,” he said – and with the surprisingly dropped Matt Ritchie restored, Newcastle improved after halftime and won a penalty when Mark Hudson inadvertently handled a Daryl Janmaat cross.
Gayle’s spot-kick was saved by Danny Ward but the former Palace striker pounced to head home the rebound.
Yet just as Newcastle threatened to hoist the kitchen sink, Wagner played his masterstroke, sending on attacking duo Kasey Palmer and Jack Payne.
Last week, a similar stunt saw Chelsea loanee Palmer score with his first touch. This time it was Payne’s turn, Palmer playing in the 21-year-old to calmly drive into the bottom corner.
“I am very proud of my boys,” said Wagner. “It is a special moment for us as a club, for the supporters especially. But was I surprised? No. I see these players every day and I know how good they are.
“Everyone was excellent. Kachunga was outstanding defending from the front. Both of our centre-halves were great. Jonathan Hogg was hungry, greedy and aggressive.
Wagner also urged Newcastle fans – who booed their side off the pitch – to show patience.
“I think everybody can see what a good side this is,” he said. “If Gayle scores that header after three minutes, the story of the game is a totally different one.”