The first half of this game suggested a continuation of the recent trend from the past couple of matches; plenty of possession but an inability to do much with it or actually maintain it unbroken for more than a couple of passes. It seems to be becoming clear that the way to defeat us is to come with a solid defence which we can't break down and then patiently wait, as our backline is suspect enough the opposition are bound to get chances. To be fair we had the better opportunities of the first half and could have led. We were at home, that is how it should be.
Then there was the second half.
Keegan seems to have an affinity with 4-3 scorelines, undoubtedly more than in part due to the way his teams play, all attack, little defence. We took the lead as we earned a free kick and Robert finally decided not to simply blast everything in sight but apply a bit of culture from his left boot. He actually fell over as he struck the ball so maybe he'd meant to whack it one, but either way the ball dipped into the net past a static James. Good, determined work by Carr then brought a penalty for Shearer to convert and it seemed game over. But this is Newcastle after all, and this is against a Keegan side. Sit on the lead and see the game out? You should be so lucky. Wright-Phillips continued to add weight on the side of nurture against nature by producing the sort of performance which gets him England call ups. His first goal was followed by a debatable penalty awarded against Butt, who appeared to at least get some of the ball before his man (in the post match interviews Keegan unjustly berated the referee for being poor, blaming hm for all his woes. We'll put it down to his frustration at yet another 4-3). Parity restores and a suddenly entertaining game was there for the taking.
Then the long forgotten (or at least repressed) chicken dance saw the light of day as Elliot scored a fine header which struck the post and bounced over the line while somehow evading a touch from anyone else during the scramble. For a top team that should have been the signal to shut up shop and hold out. Had your scare but we're Ok now, let's just get to the final whistle with the lead intact. By now though our defencive frailties were becoming increasingly apparent and it seemed inevitable that another equaliser came as Wright-Phillips bemused the defence. It could have ended there, and maybe that would have been fair though just recalling that the few first half moments did belong to us gives some justification to the final result. After a week in which he became the first player to have a public run-in with the new manager Bellamy produced a last gasp winner, somewhat scuffing a well placed shot into the corner. There simply wasn't time for Man City to get back this time.
So what do we learn? Not much. The team showed good character to keep going, having lost the lead twice. But they also showed a very worrying tendancy not to be able to protect an advantage. We also have to banish the seeming tiredness and lethargy with which we played the first half. The unbeaten run remains under the manager. The league cup in midweek could be something of a distraction, not really too important in the scheme of things. However it is silverware. A chance for Souness to try out a few more players perhaps, whilst trying not to risk that unbeaten record too wildly against a Norwich desperate to try and get winning again. In the league though we continue to slowly sneak up that table. The next game at Bolton is a real test however. Bolton we would think we should beat by rights but they are proving something of a surprise this season. If we can beat them though it may be a real move forwards.
(@13:10)
