Shearer loses mind over ‘unbelievable’ MOTD replay in Newcastle v Aston Villa
Alan Shearer raved about a piece of play on Boxing Day which allowed Anthony Gordon to open the scoring early on for Newcastle United against Aston Villa.
Shearer, live on BBC Match of the Day [26 December, 36:58], discussed a phase inside the first two minutes in which Lewis Hall’s run dragged Matty Cash away from Gordon, opening up space for the England man to fire a shot past Emi Martinez in Villa’s 3-0 defeat on a day to write off.
It was a miserable day on Tyneside for Unai Emery’s men, who saw Jhon Duran controversially issued a straight red card for an alleged stamp on Fabian Schar during the first half.
Responding to Gary Lineker, Shearer said: “[Newcastle] were really impressive all over the park, but particularly down the left-hand side. On the flanks, even when it was 11v11, they were causing all sorts of problems.
“They move it really well to get into the position put just watch the run from Hall. He just creates that little bit of space and takes Cash with him, and then Gordon comes inside and that’s an unbelievable finish.”
Aston Villa licking wounds after Newcastle loss
Boxing Day can go down for Aston Villa as a day when nothing felt like it would go right. Spending the vast majority of the contest behind, it just appeared to always be heading one way.
And once Duran was given his marching orders for an incident which has certainly divided opinion involving Magpies defender Schar, the writing was on the wall and the hosts went on to win at a canter.
Emery already cut a frustrated figure when Villa had 11 men on the pitch, and was embroiled in touchline tensions later on which saw Newcastle’s animated assistant coach Jason Tindall sent off.
The defeat leapfrogged the Villans’ opponents above them in the Premier League, separated by four places but still just a point as the European race remains wide open.
It also leaves Emery’s men with a negative goal difference along with the burden of losing their in-form striker for three games. Home contests against Brighton [30 December] and Leicester City [4 January] are up next.
In other Aston Villa news, the idea of a return for Jack Grealish under Emery is discussed.
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