Jonjo Shelvey says that he was ‘a bit shocked’ Illan Meslier saved his volley in the first half following Newcastle’s 1-0 win at Leeds, as he told Final Score.
The Newcastle midfielder scored the only goal of the game from a free-kick with 15 minutes left on the clock and he admitted the Leeds goalkeeper provided him with ‘a little bit of help’.
Rather than going over the wall, Shelvey went around it and Meslier will be kicking himself that he didn’t save the effort.
Whilst that was a mistake from the young Frenchman, he did deny Shelvey who caught a flush left-footed volley from outside of the area in the first half.
Shelvey spoke about scoring his free-kick and initially being surprised at Meslier saving his earlier volley.
“It was quite wide but I knew that I had to go across the goal,” said Shelvey. “I haven’t seen it back, but I think the keeper has given me a little bit of help.
“But a goal is a goal. We take it and move on.
On his volley in the first half: “I was a bit shocked that he saved it. It was a great strike. But it’s a difficult place to come and play against Leeds because they are constantly on the move.
“But, to a man, everyone stood up to it and battled for the shirt.”
After Norwich’s 3-0 win at Watford on Friday night, this is a great reaction from Newcastle to that result.
They have dragged Leeds back into the relegation dog fight, and upon their return from the winter break, they will be hoping to claw Everton into it too.
The Toffees, who sacked Rafa Benitez as manager last Sunday, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa yesterday.
Whilst the managerless club are four points ahead of Newcastle, with a game in hand, the duo will lock horns at St James’ Park next month and it provides Eddie Howe’s side with a chance to ensure another team is in this relegation scrap.
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