Newcastle United finally got their season off the ground after a 1-0 win away to Bristol City, but what did we learn about both side’s season objectives?
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle scores their first goal.
Dwight Gayle scored his fourth goal in three games as Newcastle United beat Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend. Gayle’s goal came from a defence-splitting Mohamed Diame pass in the 19th minute.
While City had chances to level the game, they failed to capitalise on the pressure they put Rafa Benitez’s side under and will feel they deserved more from the game.
We take a look at the five things we learned from both sides as the Championship season starts to gather pace.
1. Benitez finally looks like he’s got Newcastle up and running
Newcastle have now won their last two league games and, despite a slow start to life in the Championship, Benitez’s side appear to finally be up and running. Newcastle have now recorded back-to-back victories after losing their first two matches of the season, and Gayle’s 19th minute goal was enough to see off the challenge of Lee Johnson’s City side thanks in part to a strong defensive display.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic set to return for Newcastle after suspension and Gayle looking clinical in front of goal, Benitez will hope that Newcastle will now kick on and look to mount a serious challenge for promotion as they look to bounce straight back after relegation from the Premier League.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
2. Bristol City can mount a play-off charge
While Johnson’s side may have struggled to score against Newcastle, they look well set to mount a charge for the play-offs. In the second half against the side from St James’ Park, City looked well equiped to break down the stout defending from the away side, but ultimately it was not enough.
But if Johnson can get goals from both Tammy Abraham and Jonathan Kodjia, his side will be able to break teams down, and with Lee Tomlin and Luke Freeman creativity will come. Against Newcastle, City threw everything but the kitchen sink at the away side’s back line and Newcastle were under constant pressure in the latter stages of the game.
3. Lee Johnson needs more firepower
With the current transfer window open for a little over a week Johnson may now need to look at his options going forward. With Kodjia yet to really get going in this campaign, and Abraham having only scored twice, City may need other options if they are to mount a challenge for the play-offs.
Against Newcastle, City struggled to make the final breakthrough, despite lots of pressure on their opponents, and with both Abraham and Kodjia facing possible call-ups to England under-19s and the Ivory Coast national squads in the coming months, now may be the time to make a move for further forward options.
Bristol City’s Jonathan Kodjia and Mark Little (L) in action with Newcastle United’s Yoan Gouffran (R)
4. Defensive capabilities may be key to Newcastle’s promotion
Newcastle’s defending against City was a large part of the reason why this game finished 1-0 to the away side. Benitez’s side were put under mounting pressure in the second half at Ashton Gate, and had it not been for impressive performances from the entire back line the result could have been very different. Newcastle’s key to promotion may lie in not how the goals come, but in fact by how they defend, especially away from home.
5. Isaac Hayden is looking like a stunning signing
Isaac Hayden is starting to look like the signing Newcastle needed. Signed from Arsenal in the summer, it was Hayden’s 20th-minute strike which set the Magpies on their way in their 4-1 win over Reading on Wednesday, and against City he had another impressive performance. Based on his current early form some will question why he was allowed to leave North London, but Newcastle may prove to be the ideal place to show off his true talents and set the Championship alight.
Bristol City’s Lee Tomlin in action with Newcastle United’s Isaac Hayden.
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