Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s draw with Liverpool.
The comments from neutrals especially telling…
A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.
The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.
Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.
On this occasion though, the politics entirely absent, just concentrating on matters on the pitch…
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Liverpool fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:
‘Love the SJP crowd!’
‘What a cracking game of football!’
‘Just love the toon, brilliant atmosphere, great match, poor referee.’
‘Keep reading how LiVARpool wasn’t at their best, how’s about giving Newcastle some credit for making it a cracking game of football.’
‘Liverpool were top class but met a team who out played them, simple.’
‘From a liverpool fan, well done Newcastle, another classic! Fair result in the end. Wish Kelleher had just grabbed that ball!’
‘A great match in which Newcastle always looked dangerous and Liverpool were off their best.
In truth, if it was not for the brilliant Mo Salah, then ‘The Reds’ would probably have lost that game!’
‘What can they do if the ref was constantly backing up Newcastle. We played against 12 men not 11. We should’ve had two pens for a foul on lucho and hand ball from Macs shot. Newcastle even got that last minute free kick for the same thing that happened on Lucho.’
‘Let’s reverse roles. Liverpool have a 3 v 1 attack 14 seconds after extra time has elapsed?
Question: does the ref blow for full time?
Answers: No or No?’
‘Pulsating with the right result. Had some fantastic moments.’
‘That second 45 was breathtaking, both sides were just playing at full speed, absolutely thrilling stuff and the final result could’ve been anything, full credit to both sides.’
Anthony Gordon Goal Newcastle Liverpool
‘What a game from Newcastle. Both teams got done by shady officiating.’
‘I counted two good shouts for newcastle and a 3 on 1 attack at the very end that the ref chose to end.’
‘It was disappointing to draw when we had it in our hands, but it is a fair result, and in the context of the season, a point away under the lights at St James’s Park is a decent return.
If we win the league, it’ll be because we’ve got a point in tough away grounds like this.’
‘Referee definitely got Liverpool the point’
‘What a Game! Best I’ve seen this Season! Both teams unlucky not to win it! This is how football should be played!’
‘Liverpool scored against us in the 98th minute of five added time a few seasons back ffs.’
‘Had it been the other way we know he wouldn’t have blown the whistle.’
‘Satisfied as a football fan, disgruntled as a Reds fan.’
‘This is why we love this fixture. End to end every single game and I’m a neutral. Brilliant.’
‘Best game of the season so far. Both teams going for it no playing for time. Take note Arsenal.’
‘Are all the “Howe out” muppets from the weekend trying to work out how to delete their comments now?’
‘Entertaining game. A draw, the least that the chasing pack Premier League could have hoped for. Newcastle had their moments and should have come away with much more from this match.’
‘Goals galore tonight. Just need to accept that every game can’t be won and prepare for Everton. Newcastle the livelier tonight and deserved a share of the points at the minimum.’
‘Liverpool lucky to get a point. Newcastle much the better side.’
‘Great game …
I honestly thought Newcastle should’ve had a penalty…
Isak touched the ball past the Liverpool player towards the goal… the Liverpool player made heavy contact with Isak and he goes down..
Penalty…
I have no idea what those pair of clowns commentating on Prime were going on about… supporting the ref making incorrect decisions..’
‘Hard luck Newcastle, you played really well, of course because lfc didn’t win, their supporters say they had an off day instead of giving credit to you.’
‘The most disappointed person in the country when Liverpool didn’t hang on was Clive Tyldesley. Quite possible the worst most one-sided commentary I’ve ever heard.’
‘I don’t think any of the incidents should have been penalties under the current regime of referee’s call. Maybe they could have awarded one for Van Dijk’s assault on Gordon in the box, but I guess that would have been controversial if given.’
‘Absolute cracker of a game. Thought Newcastle pen shout was a clear pen. Ref should of been sent to the monitor for that one. Liverpools pen shout was never in a million years going to be given and rightly waved away. What a shocking time to blow the final whistle as well should of waited to see how it played out before blowing.’
‘Septic six teams just can’t win at Newcastle.’
‘Take the point and move on. Newcastle away is never an easy place. Another classic to add to the fixture.’
Fabian Schar Goal Newcastle Liverpool Kelleher Arnold
Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Wednesday 4 December 7.30pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Isak 35, Gordon 62, Schar 90
Liverpool:
Jones 50, Salah 68, 83
Possession was Newcastle 41% Liverpool 59%
Total shots were Newcastle 17 Liverpool 16
Shots on target were Newcastle 6 Liverpool 5
Corners were Newcastle 5 Liverpool 6
Touches in the box Newcastle 21 Liverpool 35
Newcastle United team v Liverpool :
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Longstaff 87), Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 88), Gordon (Wilson 87), Isak, Jacob Murphy (Barnes 74)
Unused subs:
Dubravka, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Kelly
(Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
(WOW! Newcastle 3 Liverpool 3 – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:
Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Weekend of Saturday 11 January – Newcastle v Bromley TBC
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)