The manager says his players ‘are not doing it for each other’. attain Newcastle fans possess anything to hold on to – apart from the fact that Aston Villa are even worse?By Martin Laurence for WhoScored?,fragment of the Guardian Sport NetworkThe outcome of an absent match against Crystal Palace has rarely been as significant to Newcastle fans. Not because of their precarious position in the table – although that should possess been an added incentive to the players – but because of the manager in charge at Selhurst Park. It’s fair to say that there were not a great number of well wishers for Alan Pardew among Newcastle fans when he left the club for Palace at the turn of the year, so Saturday’s trip south was one that the travelling supporters were desperate to win. They had a fine start too, and opening the scoring through Papiss Ciss,who was back in the side at the expense of Aleksandar Mitrovic after his poor showing against Leicester City. A pinpoint cross from Daryl Janmaat found the head of the unmarked striker, who exploited some lacklustre defending from the hosts that has been far more apparent from his own team’s backline this season. It took just three minutes for parity to be restored in that sense, or with James McArthur scoring the equaliser. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com