Newcastle United 4
Man Utd 1
Amorim had to make choices in view of the Thursday return leg vs Lyon being the all important match. Onana was dropped and Hojlund did not start. I would have started Obi up front but Zirkzee was picked instead. With Lindelof starting in the centre of defence, Eriksen in midfield and the promising Amass being given a start in that cauldron, it did not look like the travelling United fans who made the trip north were in for a lot of fun. Bayindir started in goal and despite not seeming completely at ease, we still given me a better vibe than Onana.
The Newcastle opener on 24 minutes was a well taken goal, keeper had no chance but the defence should have been tighter. By that time, Lindelof was already being bullied around by the Newcastle forward and Yoro and Mazraoui were not liking it either. We held on for most of the half and on 37 minutes Dalot fed Garnacho who equalised with a precise finish. Hardly deserved but maybe it could lead to a better display in the second half. Or so I thought!
We did not really show up for the second half. Within the first 5 minutes, Dalot was caught flat footed on the left and the cross was pulled back to the middle for an easy tap in. 15 minutes later Mazraoui slipped (as some others did – can we even get the studs right! No Newcastle player was seen slipping!!) and Barnes cut through our defence like a hot knife through butter. 3-1 and game over.
Bayindir lost his focus and gave the ball away – 4-1 and by doing that he probably blew his chances of having a run of games in goal, or maybe he did not. I would still prefer him to our other keeper who gives me the jitters at this stage! I am trying not to read much into this defeat, but it will inevitably continue to add to the negative stats and if I heard correctly on TV, this is going to be our worst season since the Premier League started. The pressure on Amorim is mounting, and as much as I want to see him succeed and believe that he has the credentials to do so, the beginning of next season is gong to be critical for him. Yes, I am already thinking about next season – been doing that for some time now…Numquam Moribimur!
