Solomon Rondon sank Huddersfield further adrift with the only goal of the game at the John Smith’s Stadium, securing a three massive points for the Magpies in the process.
Against the run of play, the Venezuelan gave Newcastle the lead after 55 minutes; Ayoze Perez’s charge down the right resulted in Javier Manquillo squaring it for Rondon, who finished excellently. The visitors could have soon doubled their lead after Ayoze Perez finished well past Lossl, only for the offside flag to come to the hosts’ rescue. A tight controversial call.
The hosts dominated the game from start to finish though but lacked a powerless punch upfront. The game was littered with wasted half-chances and poor finishing, which effectively sums up the Terriers season. Wagner’s side had a record high 74% possession against the Magpies – the highest recorded possession for a losing side in the Premier League.
Rampant Rondon
Rondon signed for Newcastle on loan from West Bromwich Albion in the summer as part of an exchange for Dwight Gayle. The target man had previous Premier League experience with the Baggies yet Benitez has seemed to unlock his ability and is finding something from the Venezuelan that others have not managed to bring out. He looks to be a real threat offensively and is offering something that Newcastle have been lacking – finishing. The striker has now netted four goals in his last six games for the Magpies – pivotal in their unbeaten run of three games.
Huddersfield firing blanks
It’s fair to say that goal scoring has not been Huddersfield’s best department this season. Ten goals in 17 Premier League games is simply not good enough, and it’s worsened by the fact that the newly promoted Championship sides are outscoring them.
Unsurprisingly, the Terriers have netted the fewest goals this season and sit only one point away from the bottom of the league, an urgent change is needed in Yorkshire. Last season the bottom three averaged 31 goals and with 21 games remaining this season, Huddersfield will have to score in every single game in order to equal that. A dooming statistic, but with the January transfer window fast approaching, the chance to improve offensively arises.
VAR
The introduction of VAR is finally coming to the Premier League for the 2019/20 season. But, should it be in use this season? Already we have seen some poor referring decisions and today these appalling decisions continued. Ayoze Perez’s second-half goal was denied by the assistant, who looked to be half a yard behind the play with a rather distorted view. VAR would have almost certainly overturned this decision but thankfully for the Magpies, the decision did not come back to haunt them.
Brilliant Benitez
Rafa Benitez was named the Premier League manager of the month for November after he led his side to three wins from four. He commented, “Everybody here is working so hard, sometimes you are lucky enough to win games in a row and that is for all the hard work put in behind the scenes.” This is the fifth time that the Spaniard has won the award in the top flight. Three weeks ago at the beginning of November, the Magpies were 19th, and following Saturday’s win – they are now 14th. An impressive few games which has hoisted them six points clear of the relegation zone and further towards the infamous 40 points mark.
A dominant disaster
Huddersfield controlled the game well with an impressive 74% possession, restricting their opponents to a minimum. Town’s pressure was clear from the off: they managed 15 shots and had 10 corners, but no success in front of goal. Newcastle on the other hand only had one corner and five shots, but still took three points. A stark contrast between the two, showing the significance of a well experienced Premier League manager and side.
