Interesting to read through these BBC Sport ‘neutrals’ comments, following on from Newcastle United defeating Hull City.
A 2-1 victory for the home side at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United roaring into a 2-0 lead inside seven minutes and dominated the match for over an hour. That dominance and chances created should have led to a three or four goal lead and the game out of sight for the visitors.
However, the number of injuries to key players and lack of options on the bench then meant that as United tired and the likes of Steur and Fernandez-Pardo forced off with fatigue as they cramped up, it gave Hull City encouragement in the final quarter of the match.
Newcastle suddenly on the back foot after not having put the game to bed and having to defend for their lives.
Always interesting to hear the neutral perspectives.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals…
‘I love coming to Newcastle, nice fans and nice people.’
‘A huge 3 points for Newcastle given the problems of the last week and the mounting injury list.’
‘Hull are not a bad side and will stay up for sure.’
‘Hull were brilliant, they’ve been blowing teams away after being touted for relegation. Proper club, proper fans, good northern stock.’
‘A great response from Newcastle after the Leeds thrashing, but my goodness Hull made it a very tough second half! Hats off to them for how they’ve started life back in the Prem.’
‘Given the rebuild that had everyone saying Newcastle United were going down, it’s good to see us getting wins. Last year, we draw that game, or lose it.
The team and the coach seem to be bought in, and working together, something I didn’t feel the same way last year.
By the same note, Hull, what a great team to watch, you will have a great season and the return leg will be something.’
‘Hull have already shown their worth in the Prem league.’
‘Lack of European will do Newcastle well on the pitch if not in the pocket. So hard for teams in between Europe and not to balance depth and consistency’
‘Newcastle will hopefully have Burn, Joelinton, Gonzales, Elanga, Osula, Dedic and Livramento back after the break.’
‘Massive result for Newcastle, they needed that win. Hull city looked really good.’
‘Five games, 8 points, more than many toon fans thought we’d have, and still in the league cup. They’re starting to show some promise. Well done Tigers, great game.’
‘Crazy game .Newcastle battered us first 15 mins. Impressed with Lewis Hall. Not a penalty for me so the save justified. Hull City grew and battered them the last 15 mins. We are such an honest team and deserved a draw. But it was The Geordies day.’
‘Murphy put in a whole load of great crosses today that Wissa and Pardo were absolutely nowhere near.’
‘One of the softest penalties I’ve ever seen. Think Murphy went down after slightest of touches by Thomas’ hand on the side of his boot, but got immediately to his feet to play the ball. VAR bit gutless to not ask ref to review it. Great save. Tigers far more bite in second half with Iroegbunam and the other subs. Great chance for a deserved point whilst Newcastle have so many injuries #UTFT.’
‘As a Tigers fan, proud of the lads but feels like a missed opportunity with Toon’s injuries. Just need to start with pace not gradually build up to it !’
‘As Toon fan very happy how season stated considering they a new young team.’
‘Newcastle need to learn how to control games. They were hanging on like a battered boxer for the last 20 minutes.’
‘A lot of negativity from Newcastle fans. We beat an as yet unbeaten team without Elanga, Burn, Osula, Nico, Livramento, Joelinton, Dedic, Ramsay… did I forget anyone? Last season we would more than likely have gone on to lose that game. Proud of the team for holding on under pressure today.’
Photo by The Mag
‘Hull, like Leeds are a big physical team so a lesson well learned by Newcastle in their tactics for this game.’
‘Gutted to have lost, Newcastle controlled the 1st half and we were poor.
2nd half I felt we were the much better side but we just didn’t have the cutting edge when it mattered after the Cho goal.
However 8 points from 5 games is pretty good and I would’ve taken it at the start of the season. Time to regroup and go again for Everton.
GL to Newcastle for the rest of the season. #UTT’
‘Both teams with plenty of injuries. Our unbeaten run had to come to an end at some point, but having been blown away in the first 10 mins, to respond the way we did was fantastic. Deserved a point and would have got it but for wayward finishing and some good defending. More than happy with our start, our team and our manager. Good luck to NUFC for season (except when we meet again).’
‘Well done NU ending our great start to the season. Out the blocks fast and hit us hard in the first ten. I know the penalty didn’t make a difference but I have honestly never seen such a ridiculous refereeing decision.’
‘NUFC had one outfield player who had started a PL match on the bench and 9 out.
Hull were not in the game for 60 minutes and the penalty should have killed the game, but credit to them for their last 20. NUFC had limited options and Hull were almost able to take advantage.’