Newcastle 1-0 Palace: Magical scenes as Miguel Almiron delivers the perfect Christmas present
It finally happened. The stars aligned, angels sang, limbs flew, and the back injury I sustained when Fernandez scored against Southampton which I though was just about healed.....well it’s knackered again but who cares. Miggy!!!!!
Get in! Never have I wanted a Newcastle player to score more than our diminutive Paraguayan whippet - and what a moment it was for him, creating memorable scenes as the Gallowgate End erupted into complete pandemonium and sheer joy.
A great 3 points before Christmas and another big win at St James' Park that sends us into the top 10.
I don’t think there was a single anew astle Newcastle fan who knew what to expect today, the glorious 7 point haul from a possible 9 came to an abrupt and unceremonious end at Burnley, with a woeful performance. It’s always a long week after we lose a game and despite Palace being injury ravaged and not in the best form, I still thought it could be a long afternoon. We all knew Saint Maximin and Willems would be a loss, but seeing a back line including Schar and Lejeune was a nice sight.
Our returning, strapping, tall, bionic French centre back (can you tell he’s my favourite player) was a joy to watch on the ball, Manquillo was outstanding, Almiron and Shelvey looked up for it, and in the first half at least some of our approach play was very decent, but sadly the final ball was lacking. Dummett always gives his all but he isn’t a wing back. We even managed 50% of possession! I thought I needed a lie down at half time.
The second half was a very tough watch to be honest. Palace took the initiative, moved the ball quite nicely while we laboured, but they couldn’t find a way through, with our defence, work rate and team spirit again carrying us through. Carroll tried playing every position on the pitch instead of centre forward, and him and Joelinton seemed to think they were on the pitch as part of a training exercise to give Palace the ball as easily as possible and then try and defend it.
On the one occasion Carroll did get in the box, he knocked down a brilliant Manquillo cross and then....absolute scenes. The fact Almiron’s first goal was at St James Park and got us 3 points made it even more special.
25 points at Christmas. A simply fantastic return from the boys and Bruce despite some bad days, and here’s to continuing our good form into 2020.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year you all of you. HTFL!!!
