Dark clouds of uncertainty are slowly assembling over the future of Rafael Benitez and Newcastle United in the top flight and a dismal defeat at the hands of Leicester City at the St.James Park has only added to their current predicament. The Magpies were far from their best in all department and an own goal from Perez and two goals from Mahrez and Gray were enough for Leicester to tip over the two from Newcastle’s Joselu and Gayle.
This is not the first time that the Tyneside club have thrown away the advantage this season, as they did in their last match against Chelsea as well. It is certainly high time for Benitez and his men, who have an uphill task ahead of them.
Here’s how they’ve been rated after another defeat. :-
GK : Karl Darlow – 5/10
Should have done better for Mahrez’s powerful shot and he looks a bit rusty for some reason. Not convincing.
RB : DeAndre Yedlin – 6/10
Dealt well with Albrighton and kept him in check but couldn’t provide anything on the offence.
CB: Florian Lejeune – 5.5/10
Looked a bit rusty too but in some moments he dealt with the clearances and tackles well.
CB: Ciaran Clark – 5/10
Didn’t make a solid presence and didn’t make himself known in the game. His decline in the rate of performances has been worrying.
LB: Javier Manquillo – 5/10
Mediocre and largely ineffective.
CM: Mikel Merino – 6.5/10
Must be kicking himself after his wrong pass led to Mahrez’s but he picked himself up from there and contributed significantly to Newcastle’s midfield.
CM: Isaac Hayden – 3.5/10
Overshadowed by the efforts of Ndidi and Merino completely. Was he in the game even?
LM: Jacob Murphy – 5/10
His runs should add something to the team because as long as those are not influencing the game, they are worthless. Good at running with the ball and nothing else.
RM: Matt Ritchie – 5.5/10
A frustrated figure with the ball hardly in Newcastle’s grip but he had very few moments too of the typical Ritchie type play. Very decent.
FW: Joselu – 5.5/10
Vanished from the game after scoring and couldn’t influence proceedings.
FW: Dwight Gayle – 6.5/10
He’s starting to make his mark and he got a goal as well as an assist today. Slightly impressive when his team is on a decline.
Substitutes:-
FW: Christian Atsu – 6/10
Got a bit of energy and the neat passes going on and that was pretty much it.
FW: Ayoze Perez – 4/10
He scored an own goal! The substitution led to the team’s own downfall. He was fine apart from this but nothing special.
FW: Aleksander Mitrovic – N/A
Came on too late and can’t be rated.
