The reaction of Steve Claridge to Newcastle’s win over Swansea on Sunday afternoon was begrudging.
The player turned pundit saying that ‘Newcastle have nicked it’.
Reality was that the visitors were well worth their one goal win, restricting the home side to only a couple of chances whilst at the other end, Newcastle had a number of opportunities before they scored the winner with 14 minutes to go.
Steve Claridge declared that ‘one moment of quality’ had won the three points but Joselu had been brilliantly denied by Fabianski, whilst Ayoze Perez and others also had good chances to open the scoring.
All in all a great day at the office for Newcastle United.
Steve Claridge working for BBC Sport:
“It was from a deadball situation, it was a good header, but zonal marking for Swansea, I am not convinced by it.
“Swansea were not convincing, they need to get some width in the squad and it looks a bit of imbalance.
“Neither team seemed to have done enough to win it but one moment of quality, a good header from a corner, and Newcastle have nicked it.”
Stats from BBC Sport:
Swansea 0 Newcastle 1
Goals:
Newcastle: Lascelles 76
Possession was Swansea 62% Newcastle 38%
Total shots were Swansea 10 Newcastle 16
Shots on target were Swansea 4 Newcastle 8
Corners were Swansea 7 Newcastle 5
Referee: Mike Jones
Newcastle United:
Elliot, Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Gamez, Ritchie, Hayden (Diame 69), Merino, Murphy (Atsu 59), Perez, Joselu (Gayle 78)
Unused Subs:
Woodman, Shelvey, Yedlin, Lejeune
Crowd: 20,872 (2,000 Newcastle)
(Read instant NUFC fan/writer reaction after final whistle HERE)
(Read Alan Shearer’s reaction to the Newcastle win HERE)
(Give us your Newcastle player ratings v Swansea HERE)
(Credit to Swansea boss Paul Clement for this post-match reaction HERE)
