Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 4-1 to Liverpool at Anfield.
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 the politics (almost) entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch…
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Liverpool fans, one or two Newcastle supporters also contributing (as well as Sunderland supporters pretending to be Newcastle fans…):
‘Thanks to NUFC for coming to play. Not just defend deep and hope to spring a late surprise.’
‘Wow, When Ekitike and Wirtz are in full flow, they look devastating together. Wirtz is showing his class now. As for Konate tonight, that was his best game all season, back to the Konate of old. So happy he got a goal at the end there too. For once this season, I’m a happy Liverpool fan. YNWA.’
‘How’s MacAllister throat after he got pushed in the chest. Pathetic from a grown man.’
‘Special mention to Ekitike. What a player. He has everything! Newcastle put in their place again!’
‘That was a much improved game from Liverpool.
Not to take it away from Newcastle, they played well, if not a bit rough’
‘That will shut the Geordies up’
‘About time too.’
‘One of the best performances that I have seen from our reds. Simply wonderful energy and the crowd were electric, wish they were like that more often.’
‘Newcastle fan, well played Liverpool, got no idea why Howe didn’t set up like he did against PSG as opening the game up and making it end to end is a strange one considering Liverpool have struggled against teams that defend and break all season.’
‘Nothing wrong with Howe’s tactics, they were all over Liverpool for the first half hour and if they knew what they were doing on set pieces, the game would have been done and dusted by then.
But when you go up against a team with absolutely massive resources who can buy £100m+ players and pay them £300k per week, there’s always a chance they might have the capabilities to harm you.’
‘Newcastle did really well until Liverpool scored but faded badly second half.’
‘Perfect win. Showed lots of character to survive an excellent NFC first half hour.’
‘Newcastle completely wasted £250 million last window. And Dan Burn is a disgrace.’
‘The Isak saga meant they had to buy late.’
‘The saga was inflicted by Newcastle themselves.’
‘Why is Burn a disgrace?
VvD a disgrace, sly elbows and the like on numerous occasions.’
‘I like Burn and was wishing our players would throw a few tackles in. Was a heated challenge on gakpo but it’s a physical game.’
‘They had to buy late because nobody fancies geographic isolation in Newcastle. Everyone will say London is only a couple of hours away on a plane but it’s not. Add time to get into and out of airports & travel to and back to destinations that couple of hours is at least double that. No the players Ncl need for the next level aren’t interested it’s that simple.’
‘Man, Newcastle are rubbish. Big Eddie and that helper guy have to realise spending shedloads of dodgy oil money on a bunch of big lads plus Rod Stewart isn’t going to get em anywhere. Embarrassing.’
‘Let’s play spot the Mackem.’
‘They played Liverpool off the park for the first 30 minutes. Luckily for Liverpool they had a couple of £100m+ players on huge wages knocking about to score a goal or two.
Newcastle with their sub-£70m, sub-£150k per week players just couldn’t hold on to their initial superiority.’
‘That’s why clubs pay £100m and big wages for class players. If Newcastle become a “big” club then maybe one day they will be able to afford those type of figures. Until then just keep watching and learning.’
‘NUFC scored against the run of play.’
‘I love Eddie Howe but there’s no way to tart that up.
Well done Liverpool, no complaints, the best side won. Again.’
‘Let’s play spot the Mackem.’
‘Hugo Ekitike play like Fernando Torres and Florian Wirtz play like Peter Beardsley’
‘Ekitike is just a joy to watch, and Wirtz is growing endless talent. Newcastle put up a good fight too. ‘
‘Geordies – your so over rated
Very average’
‘Apparently Liverpool lose by 3 goals when they play at home!
It can happen occasionally!
But NEVER to a team as bad as Newcastle!’
‘”It can happen occasionally”
Once – 0-3 against Palace – is unfortunate.
Twice – 0-3 against Forest – is a coincidence.
Three times – 1-4 against PSV – is gross incompetence!
At least Newcastle’s only 3-goal defeat this season came against a team able to call on £100m+ players on £300k per week wages… it softens the blow a little.’
‘How pathetic was McAllister ? Writhing around clutching his throat after being pushed in the chest by Gordon? 30 seconds later he was still “struggling to breathe”. Don’t these idiots know games are televised?
Red cards would stop this quickly’
‘Who doesn’t want an easy 6 points every year!
Newcastle please, please, please avoid relegation.’
‘Yea just beat you in the cups eh’
‘Used to like watching Newcastle, but teams that just play for corners and long throws bore me to tears.’
‘That was a much better performance although Newcastle played really well at the beginning and deserved the lead. Really good comeback.’
‘Great result, did worry a little in the first 35 mins of the game but after the equalizer that is the kind of performance that needs to be replicated weekly. Enjoyed that!! More please!! YNWA’