High-flying Newcastle United, the league leaders, were set to host Bristol City at St. James Park this afternoon who were only two points clear the drop zone. The game was expected to be a cakewalk for Rafael Benitez’s men but a shambolic first half could have caused the biggest upset of the Championship where the Robins were 0 -2 up away from home. However, a second half comeback ended the game in 2-2 draw.
Below are Newcastle’s individual player ratings.
Karl Darlow: 6
The custodian had a horrific first half as he conceded a couple of goals within first 20 minutes. Darlow had a steady second half where he made a few decisive saves to keep his side in the game.
DeAndre Yedlin: 6
The United States international had an average outing. Made a few good forward runs and whipped in a few crosses. Made a fine last-ditch tackle to deny City’ Bobby Reid early into the game. Should have tracked back more often and was caught in possession a number of times.
Jamaal Lascelles: 5.5
Lascelles had an unconvincing afternoon. Bristol City’s opener came from Magpies’ defensive blunder as the visitors beat the offside trap with ease. Whipped a few decent long balls for the attackers.
Ciaran Clerk: 6
Clark, too, failed to bring defensive stability throughout the game. He was a threat from set-pieces from an attacking point of view and their equaliser was credited to his name as he nodded Matt Ritchie’s corner beyond Giefer from close range.
Paul Dummett: 4
The left full back had a nightmarish afternoon as his howler led the Robins double their lead within twenty minutes into the game. Was poor defensively and made no notable attacking contribution either.
Jack Colback: 5.5
Colback worked his socks off in midfield but failed to create anything spectacular when his team was losing by 2 goals. Was replaced by Mo Diame just before Jonjo Shelvey’s goal that instigated a late comeback.
Jonjo Shelvey: 7.5
The Englishman had a massive impact from midfield as he controlled the game by helping his side use the width of the pitch. Combined well with Atsu to create number of opportunities and met the Ghanaian winger’s driven cross over the line to reduce the deficit.
Matt Ritchie: 7
Ritchie was an influence down the right hand flank and terrorised the Robins back-line with his speed, direct runs and power. He tested the Bristol custodian with his long rangers and whipped a corner perfectly inside the box which was converted by Clark from close range.
Christian Atsu: 8
The most influential Newcastle United attacker this afternoon who kept the Bristol defence on toes with his pace, power, dribbling, directness and crosses. He combined well with other attackers and made massive contribution to constitute a comeback.
Ayoze Perez: 6
The Spanish forward was used in a withdrawal role. He created a few decent opportunities but failed to test the Bristol keeper. His powerful strike from 25 yards rose narrowly over the bar early in the second half – the closest he came to find the net.
Aleksander Mitrovic: 6
His physical presence helped Newcastle make a late comeback. But it was an average outing for the big Serbian. He missed on a few half-chances and failed to direct the ball into the net from Shelvey’s inswing delivery that could have equalised the score line 12 minutes earlier.
Substitutes
Mohamed Diame: 6.5
Brought luck for Rafa Benitez as the Magpies scored their first within seconds he entered the pitch. Did a fair job in a box to box role. Used his physique to snatch possession and drill through the Robins’ defence.
