Nobody should be feeling down | OneFootball

With the season NUFC have had, going into the final round of matches next weekend, no Newcastle United fans should be feeling down after the narrow 1-0 deficit to Arsenal at the Emirates.

Aye, it was a big game, and we could have clinched Champions League qualification and leapfrogged the Gunners into second place.

Finishing second would have been an unexpected bonus though, if we are all being honest.

Before we faced Arsenal we knew that three points from our final two games would secure Champions League football.

We had got ourselves into that position by currently being the best of the rest (after Liverpool and Arsenal).

United really should have been a couple of goals to the good inside the first half, if it hadn’t been for some tremendous goalkeeping by David Raya.

The game was settled in the second period by a sublime strike by Declan Rice and fair dos, you’ll get no complaints or excuses from me or anybody else associated with our proud and respectful club (tongue in cheek and I wonder who I have in mind).

The required points will now have to be secured against David Moyes’ Everton.

I specifically name Moyes, because since rejoining the club, he has quietly guided this ‘no thrills’ Toffees side to a respectable finish in the EPL.

Everton beat Southampton in their final ever game at Goodison Park and the game was followed by farewell celebrations.

I would have been celebrating too if I was leaving that dilapidated creaking old building to move into a brand new stadium.

I can understand the sentimentality though and Goodison Park is one of the last truly traditional grounds.

It has since been suggested that the emotional farewell, with former players and managers etc, may subconsciously have given Everton’s current team an end of season ‘going on our holidays’ feeling.

If so, good, but all I’m interested in is keeping focused on the job United have in hand.

Newcastle United are where we are at these days because of lots of hard work, belief, skill and a positive outlook and mentality.

If you listened to King Edward in his post-match interview we couldn’t have a finer man at the helm next weekend.

Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Sunday 18 May 4.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Arsenal:

Rice 55

Possession was Newcastle 48% Arsenal 52%

Total shots were Newcastle 14 Arsenal 12

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Arsenal 4

Corners were Newcastle 7 Arsenal 10

Touches in the box Newcastle 33 Arsenal 33

Newcastle team v Arsenal:

Pope, Botman (Krafth 64), Schar, Burn, Livramento, Gordon, Tonali, Bruno, Barnes (Willock 76), Wilson (Osula 64), Murphy (Miley 63)

Unused Subs:

Dubravka, Lascelles, Longstaff, Neave, Ruddy

(Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

(3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Read HERE)

(Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)