Skip to main content

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 2: Brendan Rodgers frustrated as Reds fail to break down 10-man Magpies

by Roger Domeneghetti at St James' Park

The fixture that guarantees goals delivered once again as Newcastle and Liverpool shared the points in this high octane draw.

Both sides will have reason to think it was points dropped — Newcastle because they pushed Liverpool all the way despite having a man sent off just before half-time; Liverpool because they couldn't press home that numerical advantage.  

"There's a little bit of frustration," said Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. "We played very well, but it's never easy when you play against 10 men. A point at St James' Park won't be our worst result."

It was the home side who dominated the early exchanges and they took a deserved lead in the 24th minute. Cheick Tiote fed Yohan Cabaye just inside the Liverpool half and the Frenchman stormed forward before unleashing a dipping, swerving shot into the far bottom corner from 30 yards out.

Their lead didn't last. Luis Suarez broke into the box and was pulled down by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. It was a straight red and Steven Gerrard stepped up to slot the resulting penalty past Tim Krul and notch up his 100th Premier League goal.

"I was slightly disappointed we didn't have 11 men for the 90 minutes," said Newcastle manager Alan Pardew. "We then had to show another side to our game — resilience and character. That was questioned last season, but we showed that we had that in our squad."

After the break Liverpool began to press for a second, but the next goal came at the other end. Yanga-Mbiwa's sending off led to the arrival of Paul Dummett and 12 minutes into the second half the youngster grabbed his first goal for the club latching on to a free-kick and side-footing home at the far post.

With 17 minutes remaining Liverpool were level again after Victor Moses and Suarez combined down the left. The Uruguayan chipped across the face of the goal and Daniel Sturridge scored with a bullet header. Both teams had chances to seal all three points in the dying minutes, but despite their frustrations a draw was fair.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today