Can Newcastle avoid the drop?
After Liverpool scored their sixth goal at St James Park in their clash with the Magpies, a large number of fans had already left the stadium. Many were disgusted at the pitiful performance on show, whilst others just consigned themselves to the fact that perhaps they are about to suffer for the final month of the campaign and will have to fight to stay in the division.
Alan Pardew cut a frustrated and unbelieving figure on the side of the pitch, no doubt furious with what, at times, could only be described as amateur defending from his team. On more than several occasions Daniel Sturridge and other Liverpool attackers were free to wander in acres of space in the attacking third of the pitch, unchallenged and free to pick their passes. The attempted offside line that was employed failed after only a few minutes when Daniel Agger headed in a cross into the box. However, the defence didn’t seem to learn from their mistakes and were left rushing back towards their own goal time after time.
An excellent move resulted in Jordan Henderson tapping into an open goal and the reds took a 2-0 lead into half time. Everyone was expecting a response from Newcastle in the second half but they capitulated in spectacular fashion. Not only did Brendan Rodgers’ players up their game and score four goals, but Mathieu Debuchy was sent off for the home side and they failed to improve at all.
A glance at the Premiership table now sees how perilously close they are to the danger zone; if Aston Villa and Wigan manage to pick up points from their game in hand then it could well come down to a final day decider between up to six teams. Not only do points matter in terms of staying up, but goal difference can also be crucial. Newcastle’s has now taken a battering and their confidence is likely to be at rock bottom after this display. There is a lot of work to be done if they don’t wish to return to the Championship, as they did not so long ago, and memories of Champions League qualification seem like a lifetime ago.
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