We fell to defeat at St James’ Park as Alexander Isak’s early header proved to be enough for Newcastle United to take all three points.
The Swedish striker’s strike proved to be the key moment in a game of few opportunities, with our best falling to Mikel Merino who saw a shot cleared off the line by Lewis Hall in the first half.
There was late drama when Declan Rice looked set to equalise but he sent his header wide of the target, as we ultimately fell to consecutive away defeats in the league for the first time since May 2022.
Swift setback
The opening half was a tight affair with neither side able to impose themselves on the other, meaning shooting opportunities were few and far between. However, its telling moment came 12 minutes in when the majority of St James’ Park burst into celebration.
Isak was found in space in the final third, and he laid the ball off to Sea Longstaff who fed Anthony Gordon on the right. The England man swung in a dangerous first-time delivery, and Isak rose highest to power a header past David Raya to score for the third consecutive game.
That handed the hosts, who were winless in five league matches, a huge dose of confidence, and they managed to keep us quiet for the opening 25 minutes with Bukayo Saka coming closest with a couple of efforts that trickled wide either side of Isak’s goal.
We nearly drew level when William Saliba headed a Declan Rice corner into a congested penalty area, leading to a shot from Mikel Merino which was blocked on the line by Lewis Hall and scrambled away.
But the remaining 20 minutes of the opening 45 were scrappy with neither side testing either goalkeeper, despite a number of good deliveries being whipped into the home side’s area, meaning everything was still up for grabs in the second half.
Second half stalemate
That could have swiftly not been the case within the opening minute following the restart when a swift counter-attack saw ex-Gunner Joe Willock get a sight of goal but Raya was equal to his effort, and then the same player tried his luck again on 58 minutes but this time blazed into the home supporters from a good position.
Newcastle were on top at this point and Raya was called into action again five minutes later when he pushed away a fierce Isak drive from 20 yards, but such was the knife-edge the game found itself on, we nearly equalised seconds later when Rice cut into the box and saw a shot deflect agonisingly wide of Nick Pope’s far post.
But once again the chances dried up as both teams defended resolutely, and with four minutes to go Joelinton was next to force Raya to dirty his gloves, albeit with a tame header.
As the contest entered stoppage time, Ethan Nwaneri attempted to replicate his superb strike at Preston in midweek but saw it sail into the Gallowgate End, but a huge opportunity fell Rice’s way in the 94th minute when Saka swung in a delicious delivery that was begging to be headed in, but the England man miscued and saw the chance to snatch a point slip away.
Facts and stats
Having only lost one of their first 25 Premier League games in 2024 (W21 D3), we have since lost two of our last three.
Newcastle have won three of their last four Premier League home games against us (L1), as many as their previous 23 beforehand (W3 D8 L12).
We have conceded the opening goal in three successive away matches in the competition for the first time since December 2019 (5 in a row), prior to Mikel Arteta’s arrival as manager.
Newcastle have only lost one of their last 13 Premier League games at St. James’ Park (W7 D5), winning three of their five home league matches in 2024/25.
Alexander Isak, who has scored in three successive appearances in all competitions for Newcastle for the first time since January last season, has been directly involved in 18 goals in his last 17 Premier League starts at St. James’ Park.
Bukayo Saka won six fouls against Newcastle, his most ever in any match for us, with this his 239th appearance in all competitions for the club.
What's next
We turn our attention to the Champions League and head to Italy for a clash against Inter Milan at the San Siro on Wednesday night. Then comes a Premier League meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, November 10 before the final international break of the year.
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