Newcastle United beat Liverpool 1-0 at St James’ Park on Saturday, as Brendan Rodgers’ men continue their stuttering start to the season.
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The game-winning goal arrived in the 73rd minute from Ayoze Perez, as the Newcastle man took advantage of poor defending from Alberto Moreno before slotting home the game’s only goal.
Liverpool were poor in attack, as Newcastle’s revival continues under much-maligned manager Alan Pardew. Newcastle have now won three-straight and are up to ninth in the table on 13 points, while Liverpool are in seventh on 14 points.
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Early on Newcastle took the game to Liverpool with Gabriel Obertan sped past Moreno and teed up Moussa Sissoko in the box but the Frenchman went down under the challenge of Joe Allen. Referee Andre Marriner waved away penalty appeals, but it was a bright start for the home side. Newcastle were dealt a blow midway through the first half, as Obertan limped off injured and was replaced by Rolando Aarons.
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The last time these two teams were involved in a 0-0 draw was 1974, but that was the score at half time after a largely uneventful first half at St James’. After the interval Newcastle looked the better team but tame efforts from Mario Balotelli and a Philippe Coutinho header were the best Liverpool could muster in another lackluster display going forward.
Rodgers’ side lacked invention in the final third and fired a blank for the second-straight PL match, as the game-winning moment arrived in the 73rd minute from Perez. The ball dropped to Liverpool defender Moreno in the box, but the Spaniard took too much time and Perez nipped in to win Newcastle the game as their incredible resurgence continues.
As for Liverpool, well, their season hit a new low.
LINEUPS
Newcastle: Krul, Janmaat, S.Taylor, Coloccini, Dummett, Sissoko, Abeid, Colback, Obertan (Aarons, 27′), Cisse (Perez, 45′), Ameobi (Cabella, 66′)
Goal: Perez (73′)
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Moreno, Lovren, Skrtel, Gerrard, Allen (Borini, 66′), Henderson, Coutinho (Lambert, 80′), Sterling, Balotelli