Newcastle 1-0 Derby - Match Reaction

A first-half deflected Ritchie strike was enough to safeguard the win and take the Magpies top of the Championship, in what has been a problematic week for Newcastle and Benítez. Speculation over the Newcastle manager’s future grew, after the hierarchy failed to keep their promise and strengthen the squad during the January transfer window. Benítez’s rallying call of “sticking together” – despite Ashley’s inevitable interference – resulted in a magnificent display by Gallowgate Flags at the Gallowgate End, as Rafael Benítez’s name was serenaded inside St. James’ Park; an unequivocal stance on whom the Toon Army side with.

Mohamed Diamé returned to the starting line-up, after his return from the African Cup of Nations, and the Senegalese showed his strength and power early on when he intercepted Bradley Johnson to create a Newcastle attack, but Hayden’s effort was comfortable for Carson. In the 15th minute, it was Diamé again, this time turning two Derby players in his own half and driving forward, but his shot on goal didn’t trouble the Derby goalkeeper.

The home side looked in control and Shelvey – as ever – looked to dictate play from deep, Ritchie and Yedlin proving to be great outlets out on the wide right, as Newcastle pressed for an opening. Derby’s first real opportunity came in the 20th minute; Tom Ince’s in-swinging corner wasn’t sufficiently cleared, but Darlow gathered Russell’s low shot.

Then in the 27th minute came the breakthrough, Ritchie’s long pass to Mitrović was brilliantly controlled by the Serbian, who played a quick one-two with Diamé before laying it off to Ritchie and his deflected shot looped over a scrambling Scott Carson – 1-0. The Magpies were eager to double their lead and not see a repeat of Wednesday night; Shelvey’s delightful through ball to Hayden split Derby’s defence, and the England U21 international picked out Diamé, but his strike on goal from 13 yards was straight at Carson.

In the second-half, Aleksandar Mitrović had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 and silence his critics. Dummett crossed from the left, Ritchie nodded it back in and from about 7 yards, Mitrović seemingly made a decent connection with his right boot, but his effort went well wide. As Newcastle struggled to kill off the game, Derby gained confidence. The Rams have hit good form since the re-appointment of former Newcastle Head Coach, Steve McClaren – who played a major part in Newcastle’s relegation, last season – and find themselves just outside the play-off zone. The introduction of Abdoul Camara added an injection of pace, and it was his cross from the right that found Ince, but he failed to guide the ball in with only Darlow to beat.

As Derby threw men forward in search of an equaliser, Ayoze Pérez almost put the game to bed in stoppage time. A long ball over the top from Shelvey released Pérez, and from 35 yards he lobbed an on-rushing Carson, who completely wiped the Spaniard out and went unpunished, but the Derby defence got back in time to clear for a corner. Deep into stoppage time, the visitors won consecutive corners and even put their goalkeeper into the mix to cause havoc. As the corner was floated in, former Sunderland striker Darren Bent thought his header was going to nestle in the back of the net, but DeAndre Yedlin was there to clear it off the line and ensure McClaren left empty handed on his first return to St. James’ Park since his sacking.

Newcastle line-up:

Darlow • Dummett, Hanley, Clark, Yedlin • Gouffran, Hayden, Shelvey (C), Ritchie • Diamé • Mitrović

Talking Points

Newcastle’s back four were impressive, and Hanley stepped in well in place of club captain Lascelles. Yedlin continues to get better, his fitness and athleticism to go up and down that pitch will not only play a key part towards the end of this season, but also in the Premier League, if we are promoted. Dummett has come in for his fair share of criticism, but defensively, he has been excellent, against Derby he kept their most creative player Tom Ince very quiet.

Ritchie worked tirelessly and was rewarded with his 12th goal of the season. He is probably his own biggest critic, and it is great to see a player showing so much heart when he steps onto the field. Mitrović started ahead of Murphy, and this game was a good chance for him to stake his claim. He had a golden opportunity in the second-half; a chance he really should have buried. Clearly lacking in confidence, Newcastle will be hoping top-scorer, Dwight Gayle, will be returning to the side sooner rather than later.

It was good to have Diamé back into the side, driving forward and creating attacks, it was clear to see that he offers a lot more in the central attacking position than Pérez. With regards to Pérez, I think most of us will agree that he has been poor in the Championship. However, he has played majority of the games as a secondary striker/behind the main striker – a position that doesn’t get the best out of him. When he first arrived at Newcastle, he played as a striker/playing off the last defender and drifting out wide, that’s what he prefers to do, and as soon as we start playing him in his favoured position, the greater the likelihood of him fulfilling his potential.