Newcastle United drew 2-2 with Norwich City on Tuesday night.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has told the Shields Gazette that he urged his played to forget about their mistakes against Norwich City.
Just days after picking up a 1-0 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle were on the road again on Tuesday night as they made the trip to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City.
With the Magpies looking to stay on top of the Championship table, they raced into a 1-0 lead at Norwich as Ayoze Perez fired Newcastle in front after just 23 seconds.
However, the hosts did hit back, as Jamaal Lascelles’ stumble allowed Cameron Jerome in on goal, and he squared for Jacob Murphy to tap home an equaliser.
Newcastle were again guilty of a defensive error as goalkeeper Karl Darlow raced off his line to clear away, only to slice the ball behind himself, with Jerome capitalising by putting Norwich in front from close range.
The Magpies managed to overcome their errors and claimed a point though, as Lascelles atoned for his mistake by volleying home an equaliser, with the game ending 2-2 at Carrow Road.
Ayoze Perez (R) celebrates scoring for Newcastle United
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez will be a little concerned by the nature of Norwich’s goals, as his side committed two big errors, with Darlow’s particularly difficult to stomach.
However, the Spaniard told the Shields Gazette after the game that he urged his players to forget about the errors and just focus on the second half performance during his half-time team talk, and his words appeared to work, as Newcastle not only tightened up at the back but also earned a point.
“I didn’t have to lift the players at half-time, I just told them to forget about their mistakes and concentrate on the next 45 minutes because we were doing well and we could win the game. I told them the past had gone, and they just had to concentrate on what was still to come.”
What did you think of Newcastle’s defending against Norwich?
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