BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ on Newcastle United after 3-2 Manchester United defeat | OneFootball

Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion though, the politics point scoring very much reduced.

A lot to debate in this game.

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Man U fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘Brilliant game by both teams decimated by injuries. Newcastle unlucky – deserved at least a draw. Penalty decision was shocking…’

“Newcastle need a final- day win at Brentford to be certain of a top-seven finish for the first time in two decades.”

Must have been magic that got them into the champions league last year rather than a top 4 finish. Poor reporting.’

‘Second year in a row, stonewall penalty not given at Old Trafford, might as well scrap VAR if its not going to do what it’s supposed to.’

‘Good match, close encounter, the right Man Utd turned up..

Fernandes was possessed. He let his football do the talking, much better that way.

VAR making another baffling decision, it was a clumsy challenge by Amrabat on the impressive Gordon, clear penalty.

No wonder they’re having a vote to keep VAR or not. It’s the official’s running the bleeding thing. Why can’t they get it right?!

Nuts.’

‘Utd storm to a -3 goal difference.’

‘How is it the money of the whole of Saudi Arabia can’t stop Newcastle losing 14 games out of 37? Bizarre after all the crazy spending.’

‘Dear me remind us how much you’ve spent since you last won the league, and by the way I think you will find Saudi money in your sponsorship deals.’

‘Well, if you actually knew anything about spending you would know Newcastle have spent relatively little due to financial rules. Don’t let facts get in the way of a childish statement though.’

‘Entertaining end to end stuff at times and pretty close overall. Newcastle denied a clear penalty, but it seems VAR won’t overturn the on field decision unless it’s an absolute howler. Still plenty to play for Sunday for both these clubs.’

‘I think I remember readung that the first check they do in the process is check how the decision would affect Man U.’

‘Once again, VAR showing you can’t get a penalty awarded at Old Trafford. Disgraceful.’

‘The end of a terrible season. A truly awful team that send me off to work on a regular basis embarrassed to be a supporter. Rashford only runs forward…so lazy going back…just get rid of him.’

‘Gordon has to be in contention to start in Germany. His delivery and dribbling abilities along with his magnificent attitude has got to make him a starter.

He certainly wouldn’t be the achilles heel. Bad challenge by Sofyan Amrabat.’

‘What a performance from Bruno and Amad! He should have been playing all season! Unlucky to Newcastle. That was an erratic but entertaining game.’

‘Man utd didn’t deserve the win but got there.’

‘Unless I’m reading it wrong Newcastle and Man Utd’s stats are incredibly similar, both won 17, drawn 6, lost 14. Conceded almost the same 60 and 58. Yet Newcastle have scored 26 more goals! Both have 57 points.’

‘-3 goal difference sitting 8th in the table having spent billions and they celebrate the win like its a champion league final.’

‘You see, you just don’t get it. Real football supporters celebrate their team winning for the pure love of the game. By your standards, only supporters of the team who win the league can celebrate their team winning a game. Too much of a coward to be honest and say who you support as well eh?’

‘Liverpool dealt a hammer blow, their best player VAR could be leaving next season.’

‘Reality check for Newcastle.

Good run in Europe but a long way to go until you are a proper big club. That is the reality.’

‘A blatant foul on Gordon in the box was ignored by the referee and also the video assistant referee(s) – that all round lack of judgement makes this group of individuals not qualified for their role; they should face the consequences. Newcastle UFC suffered badly because of them.’

‘VAR is just more referees in a room why did anyone think it would work??’

‘Another show of how fickle manure supporters are. They found their voice in the 85th minute. What an embarrassing atmosphere they create.’

‘Manu were given three goals and Newcastle scored two good goals from open play, missed numerous chances and had a blatant penalty not given.’

‘Great effort by eth keeping Utd in the top half.’

‘Silly scene with the microphone. Man is out of his depth pleading to keep his job. We were lucky with Newcastle’s profligacy.

I dread the 25th.’

‘That’s probably the worst VAR decision for the foul against United, on Gordon, this season (apart from the Liverpool offside against Spurs). If that was for Man U it’s getting given 100% of the time. Absolutely awful.

We also need to not play Dubravka anymore, Pope would save two of those goals tonight and probably be much better placed for the second of the three. We don’t do things easy.’

Stats via BBC Sport:

Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Wednesday 15 May 8pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Mainoo 31, Amad 57, Hojlund 84

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Man U 45% Newcastle 55%

Total shots were Man U 17 Newcastle 21

Shots on target were Man U 8 Newcastle 8

Corners were Man U 9 Newcastle 9

Referee: Robert Jones

Newcastle United team:

Dubravka, Trippier (Schar 63), Krafth, Burn, Hall, Longstaff (Barnes 77), Bruno, Anderson (Joelinton 62), J Murphy (Almiron 62), Gordon, Isak

Unused subs:

Pope, Dummett, Ritchie, White, A Murphy

(Match Report – Please don’t gift any goals and please, no refereeing or VAR shockers – That’s all I ask… Read HERE)

(Why didn’t Sky Sports have Sir Alex Ferguson as well… or was he on VAR duty? Read HERE)

(Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Instant Newcastle fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Shocking VAR decision denies NUFC – Read HERE)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)