The Magpies could hardly have done more to score at Ewood Park.
Owen Coyle believes his Blackburn Rovers boss deserved to beat Newcastle United on Monday, The Chronicle reports, although the stats would suggest otherwise.
Charlie Mulgrew’s second-half free kick ensured Rovers sealed three points with their only shot on target at Ewood Park in a game that would best be described as ‘smash and grab’ or, if you are of a Newcastle persuasion, ‘one of those days’.
Rafa Benitez’s side had 25 shots to the hosts five, five on target to one, as well as monopolising possession (67 per cent to 33 per cent) and the corner count (six to one).
Furthermore, Mo Diame hit the bar, Dwight Gayle had two chances blocked by Blackburn goalkeeper Luke Steele while the top scorer and defender Ciaran Clark both had efforts ruled out in either half.
Nonetheless, Coyle insists that his side were the rightful winners – an opinion that is unlikely to sit very well with Magpies fans.
“In the first half Jason Steele had to make a couple of very good saves, then there were two correct disallowed decisions in the second half,” the Scot said, as reported by The Chronicle.
“But the important thing was that no matter how, we got the three points – off the back of what now looks like a very good point against Huddersfield [in the fixture prior].
“It was a valuable three points, I thought it was hard earned and well deserved.”
Blackburn certainly showed plenty of desire and spirit but, without Lady Luck cheering them on from the sidelines, Newcastle surely would have sealed a comfortable win.
As it is, Benitez’s title favourites are now second in the table after Brighton came from a goal down to strike twice in two minutes against Fulham (coincidentally at almost exactly the same time as Mulgrew put Newcastle behind).
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