Gary Neville believes Newcastle United’s performance against Arsenal reminded him of England’s display in the Euro 2024 final.
After Sunday’s defeat, Newcastle United have it all to do in the Champions League battle.
Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 thanks to Declan Rice’s goal on a disappointing day for Eddie Howe. Now, the Newcastle United manager needs his side to beat Everton on the final day of the Premier League season in order to claim a spot in the top five.
Newcastle dominated much of the first half and were frequently denied by an in-form Gunners goalkeeper in David Raya. After the break, however, the hosts grew into the game and Rice’s goal was hardly against the run of play at the time.
In fact, Neville thinks it all looked rather like England’s performance against Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Newcastle United give Gary Neville Euro 2024 flashbacks
The Sky Sports pundit said he was disappointed in Howe’s side in the second half. That was even despite Arsenal losing key defender William Saliba at the interval due to a hamstring injury.
The Three Lions, of course, went into half time in the Euro 2024 final drawing with Spain. La Roja then saw key man Rodri replaced at the break in what looked like a huge boost for Gareth Southgate’s side.
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Still, England failed to press on and saw Nico Williams strike early in the second half. They ultimately equalised through Cole Palmer but Mikel Oyarzabal netted a late winner in Berlin.
Speaking on Sky, Neville said: “I was a little bit disappointed by them in the second half because I thought the game was there for the taking.
“If you played like that in the first half and then you’ve seen Saliba go off at half time, your eyes must light up.
“A little bit like England in the Euros final when Rodri went off at half time. You’re almost thinking ‘this couldn’t be any better’ for an away win, or a win you weren’t expecting.
“It didn’t quite happen in the Euros final in this second half.”
Gary Neville takes aim at one Newcastle United player after Arsenal defeat
There were a number of players who failed to impress in north London for Howe’s side.
Newcastle fans were furious with Anthony Gordon’s performance against Arsenal, though he was not alone in failing to convince.
Indeed, Neville said Callum Wilson would be “disappointed” for his display against Arsenal and it’s easy to see why.
Wilson did not win a single duel for Newcastle against Arsenal and looked rather anonymous for much of the game.
Considering Alexander Isak is an injury doubt for Newcastle ahead of the Everton game, that’s a major concern.