Nothing sums up our season so far more than what we’ve just witnessed over the past few days, as a slow, abject and ultimately disappointing 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace a pulsating Premier League classic at St James’ Park.
We took the lead twice – once through Alexander Isak’s stunning finish and again via Anthony Gordon – before poor giveaways and ruthless finishing sent Liverpool 3-2 up thanks to a clinical double from who else but Mo Salah.
However, an 89th-minute equaliser from Fabian Schar’s outstretched leg handed us the point our performance more than deserved – and it may have even been 4-3 in the final seconds of added time if Andy Madley didn’t completely bottle it, with the referee blowing up just as Isak and Willock broke clear on the counter!
On another night, we don’t make those second half errors – poor passes from Hall and Joelinton were punished brutally – and beat arguably the best side in Europe right now. While some will be frustrated at what might’ve been, it was a superb display filled with pressing, quality, discipline and desire, a good result in the end and a hugely encouraging performance; which was badly needed after last week.
The first half was brilliant and the perfect response to Wor Flags’ pre-match banner after Bruno FINALLY won the toss – “Get into them!”. We did exactly that and more, starting with Tonali’s edge-of-the-box effort that forced Kelleher into an early save.
At Palace, we had zero shots on target in 90 minutes. In this, we had our first effort on goal within 90 seconds! We also went close through Isak, who decided to square it after getting himself into a great shooting position down the left.
The Reds had their only big moment of the first half through Macallister, who hit the post from range moments after testing Pope with another low effort. At the other end, Murphy was the next to go close, flashing an effort wide of the far post after bursting into the box from the right.
Then it was Isak to Bruno, but the Brazilian’s left-footed effort from 10 yards was weak and comfortably saved. Positive signs, although we had to capitalise on these washed chances after so much great play to outwork, outfox and counter on a Liverpool side that looked there for the taking.
Thankfully, we finally got the goal our superb first half deserved – and what a goal it was! Bruno picked out Isak and the Swede’s finish was emphatic, shifting the ball to his right to gain a yard on Van Dijk before smashing past Kelleher and into the top corner from the edge of the box. 1-0! Although it really should’ve 2-0 before the break, as Gordon stole in ahead of Gomez but fired straight at Kelleher.
After a brilliant opening 45, we started the second with a few too many sloppy giveaways and one in particular was punished, as Hall’s wayward pass to Isak was jumped all over. Seconds later, Liverpool broke down the right and Salah’s cut back was fired into the roof of the net emphatically by Jones. 1-1.
Hall was nearly punished again after trying to let the ball run out only to have his pocket picked by Salah, although it was us who struck next to retake the lead. Tonali and Bruno combined brilliantly to release Isak, who moved it wide to Gordon. He had plenty to do, but sat down his man, cut inside and fired into the far corner passed Kelleher!
2-1 Newcastle with half an hour to go and it was almost 3-1 as another emphatic Isak finish was ruled out for offside, but we were only level for five minutes as another costly giveaway – this time from Joelinton as his attempt to release Gordon on the counter was cut out – was punished by that man Salah, who swept Alexander-Arnold’s cut-back past Pope to make it 2-2.
In keeping with the relentless back and forth nature of this match, we almost made it 3-2 soon after through Murphy. It was stunning wing play from Gordon in the build up, seeing him cut inside and ping a lovely pass in behind for Murphy, but our returning right-winger couldn’t get his lobbed effort on target after beating an all at sea Kelleher to the bounce.
Chance missed and you know what followed? Another Salah goal. This one wasn’t the product of a poor giveaway like the last two Liverpool strikes, but it felt like a dagger to the heart, giving the Reds a lead for he first time in a game where they’d been well and truly rattled. 2-3.
But, just like we deserved what we got at Palace in conceding late on Saturday, we got what we deserved at the other end here in the 89th-minute, as Bruno’s dinked free-kick was misjudged by Kelleher and stabbed home at a tight angle by Schar to make it 3-3!
At this point, Howe had made plenty of changes – Barnes, Longstaff, Wilson and Willock all replaced Murphy, Tonali, Joelinton and Gordon – which contributed to five minutes of added time. A MINIMUM of five should’ve been played and there were plenty of stoppages during extra time for a VAR check, delayed Liverpool corner, a free-kick Isak fired over and resultant goal kick, yet Andy Madley chose to blow seconds after the clock hit 95, just when Isak and Willock got into a two on two situation on the counter!
St James’ Park was furious and boo’d off the referee – who also missed Van Dijk smashing into Gordon and Quansah’s trip on Isak in the box – but I think most on Tyneside headed home feeling entertained and encouraged as we went toe to toe with the world’s most in-form sides and did not lose.
Plenty to learn, but so much to be proud of and several positive takeaways as Tonali starred in the No.6 role with aggression, pace and class, Bruno was back at it and creative as a No.8, Gordon was electric on the left – quite clearly his best position – and Isak reminded us all why he’s our best striker since Alan Shearer with a superb display against van Dijk.
Up next, a tricky trip to Brentford on Saturday before we host Leicester City on Tyneside next weekend. HWTL.
