Newcastle vs West Ham Match report 24/05/15

John Carver celebrates with Jonas Gutierrez

In nothing other than a ‘must win’ game for Newcastle, something they haven’t done since February, they managed to scrape over the line in the relegation decider in a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez, meaning Premier League status was secured for next season.

Going into the game knowing that a draw may not be enough if Hull won, the emphasis was on Newcastle to attack from the off, against a West Ham side that had only won 3 times in the last 22 games.

Fittingly, Newcastle started spritely and had a good chance in the first minute through Emmanuel Riviere, but in keeping with his season he fluffed his lines from close range on the angle. Probably not the player Newcastle were hoping the ball would fall to considering he’s only scored once in the League all season.

West Ham also started well dominating possession in the early stages, but creating few chances. Manager Sam Allardyce arrived on the day looking to send his former club down, a game that also saw Kevin Nolan return to St James’ Park. Although the latter left the club under slightly better circumstances.

The next big chance again fell to Riviere again but this time a little more difficult, acrobatically missing with a scissor kick at the near post following good work from Sissoko and Daryl Janmaat down the right.

The energy and desire expressed by the Newcastle players was unparalleled with what has been shown and criticised the last few weeks, but understandably nerves crept in as the breakthrough continue to elude them.

Most of West Ham’s threat was down the left through Aaron Cresswell and Stuart Downing but on the whole offered little considering the amount of possession they had.

As news continually filtered through that Hull were also struggling to make the breakthrough they needed against Man United, the fans continued to bite their nails in hope.

It looked like it just wouldn’t happen for Newcastle as again Riviere the culprit for another missed chance in the 51^st minute, missing a sitter from four yards.

However the miss went unpunished as Sissoko finally put Newcastle in front in the 54^th minute and the euphoria was plain to see around the ground as there was an eruption of noise and the relief was evident across John Carver’s face.

West Ham continued to probe following conceding, looking to spoil the day for Newcastle but that final pass just wasn’t good enough. The constant threat however started to bring back the tension among the home fans as they knew a West Ham goal and a Hull goal meant relegation.

It seemed destined that is would go to the wire as Vernon Anita was sent through on the 83^rd minute in a 4 on 1 situation, the 1 being Adrian the goalkeeper, but managed to fluff his lines when trying to square the pass allowing Adrian to intercept to the fans disbelief.

However the release of tension finally left the ground as Gutierrez, a hero following his return from testicular cancer, wrapped up the points and Premier League football next season with a deflected 25 yard drive low into the net, the celebrations that followed equalled the significance of the moment.

Newcastle survive. Relief for the Toon Army. A restructuring of the club is necessary this summer which today’s game won’t cover up.

Stalemate as Chelsea vs Liverpool ends in 1-1 draw

In a game that won’t live long in the memory, Liverpool are now effectively out of the running for the fourth and final Champions League spot barring a miracle, after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Newly crowned Champions Chelsea couldn't have wished for a better start when after 4 minutes Captain John Terry rose highest to head the ball beyond Simon Mignolet from a corner.

The game ebbed and flowed following the opener with neither side able to create any real chances of note, with Liverpool having the better of the play.

In a must win game for Liverpool to have any chance of a top four finish, they started sluggishly and Chelsea looked every bit worthy Champions after the early exchanges.

Liverpool improved as the half went on and had efforts from Phillipe Coutinho and Glen Johnson being saved and missing the target as they tried to find a way back into the game.

The frustration was evident with yellow cards being shown to Adam Lallana, Martin Skrtel and Rickie Lambert in quick succession midway through the first half.

However after 43 minutes Steven Gerrard headed home Jordan Henderson’s free-kick at the back post making the score line 1-1 just before half time, his second headed goal in as many games. The abuse Gerrard had received from Chelsea fans will have made the goal all the more satisfying to the Reds skipper.

The second half began in a similar manor to how the first played out with little in the way of chances being created by either side, just pop shots that rarely threatened either goal.

Willian and Coutinho had low shots that just evaded the target for their respective sides, as both Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers looked to find a formula to win the match, which meant little to Chelsea and much more to Liverpool.

Mourinho obviously sensed Liverpool’s attacking threat as he brought on Nemanja Matic for the impressive young Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek on 60 minutes. Matic being the standout defensive midfielder in the Premier League this season.

The rhythm of the encounter didn't change much as Fabregas forged the best chance of the half for Chelsea after 73 minutes, breaking into the box but only managing to shoot straight at Mignolet. He then had a shot blocked by Skrtel three minutes later.

The draw left Liverpool six points behind Manchester United in fourth with two matches to go; consequently a Europa League place beckons barring a huge turn of events.

The pressure continues to build on Brendan Rodgers - but he's still the right man for the job

Despite yesterday’s victory over QPR, the pressure Brendan Rodgers is under has been growing for weeks and doesn't look like easing anytime soon. The discontent among the Anfield faithful, following a number of dismal performances, has led to some calling for his head in the knowledge that Jurgen Klopp and Rafael Benitez are available this summer. This led to the ‘Rodgers out Rafa in’ banner that was flown above Anfield during yesterday’s fixture. Whether the imbeciles were Liverpool fans or Man United fans having a joke remains to be seen, here’s hoping it was the latter attempting banter. Whoever it was, there’s no place for stunts like this in football.

The banner in question - allegedly made by Liverpool fans

Not long ago I wrote about the 5 reasons I thought Rodgers was still the right man for the job, and I still fully stand by this. He’s had a tough season, but he’s had more to deal with this year than any other of his career, with one thing after another seemingly going wrong.

Firstly, he originally had to deal with the extra pressure of the Champions League, this being his first season managing in the competition and arguably managing a team not equipped to deal with the rigorous midweek to weekend fixture schedule. This was the case as it turned out. Perhaps it was a season too soon, as silly as it sounds; I don’t think the team were ready for the enormous step up in quality. Having said that, Liverpool couldn't have drawn a better group; a clash with the Champions, the worst second seed team and unheard of minnows. Not qualifying from that group was massively disappointing.

Additionally Steven Gerrard’s decline has been a huge issue for the club and Rodgers struggled to deal with him in a respectful manner. Clearly he’s not good enough to play every week anymore but many, including myself, feel Rodgers could have dealt with the situation much better. It was just unfortunate for him that Gerrard is a club legend, a huge personality, something that Rodgers hasn’t encountered before in how to tell Gerrard in a dignified way that he’s not needed anymore. He will learn from this, but a blot on his copybook.

Raheem Sterling’s public contact issues have also been no favour to Rodgers, an extra distraction away from trying to improve the team. A team weakened by the summer departure of Luis Suarez, a player that almost single handily mounted Liverpool’s title challenge last season. Dealing with his loss was always going to be a massive task for any manager, unfortunately the summer signings haven’t come close to replacing his goals.

Suarez celebrating one of his many goals last season

Daniel Sturridge, a man who Rodgers would have pinpointed as the top striker at the club and the man to fill Suarez’s boots, has been ravaged with injury this season missing the majority of matches. Yet another massive dilemma that Rodgers has had to find a solution for, and with Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli as alternatives, it never looked solvable. This can be attributed to poor transfer business, considering all three are his signings.

However, despite all these problems and predicaments, Liverpool lie only four points behind Man United, who are fourth in the league, with three games to play which gives them an outside chance of Champions League qualification. However unlikely this may seem, considering everything that has happened this season and how poor Liverpool have been at times, it’s a respectable position to be in.

Therefore I still believe Rodgers should be given next season to turn it around and let his summer signings have another season under his management. After all, I am convinced those that have flattered to deceive such as Lazar Markovic and Dejan Lovren will turn it around and have a far better 2015/16.

One final point I will make is that there is no doubt in my mind that Rodgers needs help in the transfer market. His record since joining the club has been extremely poor in terms of how many bad players he’s bought. I’m not a fan of the Director of Football position that most clubs adopt, but I think with Brendan, it would be a massive help for him. However it should be considered with caution as Liverpool could easily hire someone equally inept in the transfer market who would deliver yet more disappointing signings. FSG surely have to be running out of patience, Rodgers needs a positive summer window this time around.

Whatever happens in terms of management, I will support whoever is at the helm whether it is Rodgers, Klopp or Benitez – all three I’m sure can do a great job at the club.