Newcastle United moved above Saturday’s visitors Crystal Palace to sit ninth in the Premier League table at Christmas.
The Magpies overcame a resilient Eagles side by a single late Miguel Almiron goal, which sparked jubilant scenes throughout St James’ Park. Other than the goal though the game was mostly uneventful until manager Steve Bruce described the fans reaction as a: “Roar,” the likes of which he had not previously heard.
Almiron breaks his duck
It is tough to think of a group of fans who have been so unanimously behind a player who has not scored almost a year after joining the club as their record signing. David McGoldrick may spark a similar reaction if he finally finds the back of the net for Sheffield United in the Premier League, but even he has not been waiting nearly as long as Almiron. Bruce constantly reiterated after the game that it was due to his: “Hard work,” stating Almiron deserved all the success.
The Gordie’s words could not be more accurate and in spite of his previously non-existent goalscoring form, the Paraguayan’s commitment cannot be faulted and it has not been for want of trying that Almiron had not found the net until this point. Now that he has though, the next challenge is to sustain it. With Allan Saint-Maximin injured until January, Almiron must take some pressure off the strikers and maintain his goalscoring form.
St James’ Park – Newcastle’s fortress on Tyneside
Newcastle are now unbeaten in their previous eight home Premier League matches, winning four and drawing four. It is their longest run since April 2012, when Alan Pardew guided the Magpies to fifth in the Premier League table.
Bruce only needs to mastermind one more home game without defeat to equal that record, though their chances of breaking it might be slim with Everton and Leicester City the next sides to make the trip up to the North East.
Nobody is expecting Bruce to mastermind a fifth-place finish or accumulate 65 Premier League points. But going a game shy of the streak shows just how resilient this side has been at home since Bruce’s arrival.
Benteke’s search continues
It must have been agonising for Christian Benteke watching Almiron bury his opportunity with seven minutes to go. The scenes it sparked around St James’ Park were that of pure joy, and it was a glaring reminder just how long he has gone without scoring. The last time the Belgian found the back of the net in the Premier League was April, but prior to that he had gone a week short of a year without scoring in the division. He is fast approaching the same situation, and his confidence must be at rock bottom.
In total, he has scored just once now in 1300 minutes of Premier League football. While he still offers a lot to Roy Hodgson’s side, with a physical and aerial presence, for the Eagles to maintain their league position and the Belgian to stay in the starting line up, he must get back amongst the goals.
Next Up
Crystal Palace meet West Ham at home, while Newcastle travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United. Both are on Boxing day, with the Eagles kicking off at 15:00 and the Magpies the late kick-off at 17:30.
