Kieran McKenna watched on as his Ipswich team were torn apart by Newcastle United.
On home turf, completely outclassed.
It took just the 25 seconds before Newcastle United were ahead and Kieran McKenna will count himself lucky that it was ‘only’ a four goal margin.
The truth was, Newcastle United dominated the home side and never really let them get a proper foothold in the game.
Kieran McKenna and his Ipswich team went into this, having lost by more than one goal on only two occasions in their last 14 Premier League matches.
After the home humiliation, Kieran McKenna with admirable honesty.
Kieran McKenna speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Ipswich lost 4-0 to Newcastle United:
“A difficult day for us.
“The opponent was strong and of course they scored the goal in the first seconds, which makes it difficult.
“We had moments during the first-half where we had the ball and managed to play through them, but overall, we weren’t able to stop their attacking threats.
“They had too much for us.
“I don’t think our game management in general was good enough.
“They are a very good side.
“We needed to show more resilience, stay in the game until half-time and keep the game tight.
“We didn’t recognise the state of the game well enough and we didn’t make enough good decisions to stay in the game and attack the second-half.”
Kieran McKenna on what he said during half-time:
“Bits about the first-half and how we managed it.
“There were also opportunities there for us and we were getting into good positions, but it was mostly about needing to show the right characteristics in the second-half.
“[We needed to] show humility, we needed to defend better, we needed to show a better level of organisation and resilience, and we needed to get the next goal.
“If we had done that then the game could go in one direction.
“Of course they got the next goal and then you are really trying to see out the game in the best way you can.
“We know how well we have been doing to be competitive.
“It is a huge jump for the group and we don’t have to be far off for games to run away from us.
“We were off our level.
“If we do that against a good side, like Newcastle, then they can open you up.
“It’s a lesson for us.
“It’s probably going to happen a few times in the season.”
Ipswich 0 Newcastle 4 – Saturday 21 December 3pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Isak 1, 45+2, 50, Murphy 32
Ipswich:
(In brackets the half-time stats)
Possession was Newcastle 59% (52%) Ipswich 41% (48%)
Total shots were Newcastle 15 (10) Ipswich 10 (4)
Shots on target were Newcastle 7 (5) Ipswich 2 (1)
Corners were Newcastle 1 (0) Ipswich 2 (1)
Touches in the box Newcastle 35 (20) Ipswich 20 (10)
Dubravka, Livramento (Trippier 64), Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno (Miley 80), Willock (Longstaff 64), Murphy (Barnes 64), Isak (Almiron 73), Gordon
Unused Subs:
Vlachodimos, Targett, Osula, Kelly
(Ipswich 0 Newcastle 4 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
(Ipswich 0 Newcastle 4 : Absolutely brilliant and Alexander Isak first NUFC hat-trick – Jingle bells! Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
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
Week commencing Monday 6 January – Arsenal v Newcastle TBC
Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
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)
Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Week commencing Monday 3 February – Newcastle v Arsenal TBC
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports