What a game that was. Newcastle United two, Liverpool two. Goals from Yohan Cabaye, Steven Gerrard, Paul Dummett and Daniel Sturridge filled the game. While Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was sent off in the 40th minute, giving away a penalty which Gerrard converted. Here are the player ratings based on Squawka Performance Score.
Newcastle:
Tim Krul – (19)
Tim Krul Saves v Liverpool
Not at fault for either goal, the Dutchman had a decent performance between the sticks.
Mathieu Debuchy (7)
Got forward well and occupied the space in front of Cissokho, but he was overloaded in the second-half as Liverpool threw the kitchen sink. The right-back won all three of his tackles today.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (-35)
A game to forget for the Frenchman as he was sent off just before the break for hauling Luis Suarez to the ground, conceding a penalty in the process.
Mike Williamson (-4)
Struggled to cope with the pace of the game, he only won two of his five aerial duels.
David Santon (0)
Got forward well but had to cope with the majority of Liverpool’s attacks down the left-hand side. He won all of his tackles (2) and made one key pass.
Yohan Cabaye (28)
A stunning strike from the Frenchman set the tone for Newcastle’s performance as they posed a threat on the counter-attack.
Yohan Cabaye Goal v Liverpool
Cheick Tiote (29)
A typically all-action performance from the Ivorian, keeping Newcastle’s attack ticking over with a 92% pass completion rate.
Moussa Sissoko (25)
Struck a rasping shot that forced Mignolet into an excellent save early on, but was sacrificed for Dummell after the sending off.
Yoan Gouffran (-24)
A non-existent presence in the Newcastle side, the Frenchman contributed little to the cause.
Hatem Ben Arfa (-8)
Got little joy from either Sakho or Cissokho and was eventually hooked by Alan Pardew. The explosive attacker did not make a single key pass against Liverpool. He also didn’t complete a single take-on today.
Loic Remy (12)
Did little to impress against Liverpool’s back three. The striker on loan from QPR had two attempts, both were off target.
Subs:
Paul Dummett (44)
Brought on to reinforce the defence after Yanga-Mbiwa’s sending off, the youngster pounced in the box to tuck home the second. The youngster won all 100% of his tackles against Liverpool.
Vuron Anita (-2)
On for Cabaye, did little to stem the Liverpool tide in the latter stages.
Sammy Ameobi (-10)
Replacing Ben Arfa, the youngster had little service in the dying minutes.
Liverpool:
Simon Mignolet (-10)
Slightly a fault for the first goal and dealt well with several long range efforts as Newcastle sought to test the Belgian international.
Glen Johnson (43)
Got forward often and offered a useful outlet on the overlap for the likes of Suarez and Sturridge. Johnson also won four of his five aerial duels against Newcastle.
Kolo Toure (2)
A dependable performance by the Ivorian, untroubled by Newcastle’s attackers. He completed 92% of his passes and won all two of his tackles.
Martin Skrtel (37)
A superb tackle on Remy aside, the Slovakian was caught out several times and was woeful in the lead-up for Newcastle’s second goal.
Mamadou Sakho (3)
Several well timed tackles and untroubled by Remy’s presence, but was caught ball-watching for the second goal. The 23-year-old won all his tackles, headed duels and take-ons today.
Aly Cissokho (26)
Culpable for the second goal as he lost his man, the Frenchman was very cautious on his first Premier League start.
Jordan Henderson (28)
A very energetic performance from the former Sunderland star as he provided the running in Liverpool’s midfield alongside the more sedate Gerrard and completing 89% of his passes.
Steven Gerrard (74) – Man of The Match
Squawka’s Man of the Match, the Liverpool captain was sensational throughout the match, recording an 89% pass completion rate and hauled Liverpool back into it with a well-taken penalty before half-time.
Victor Moses (23)
Struggled to impose himself in an unfamiliar number ten role, but worked hard on the counter-attack to support the two strikers.
Luis Suarez (51)
A constant menace to the Newcastle defence, he was eventually brought down for the penalty. He followed it up with a sensational run to assist Sturridge for the second.
Daniel Sturridge (36)
A relatively quiet game for the striker, but he burst into life to turn home Suarez’s pull-back and missed a glorious chance just minutes later. Sturridge had just two attempts on target, from a possible five.
Subs:
Luis Alberto (-13)
Sparked Liverpool into life when he came on for Sakho as Liverpool looked to launch a comeback.
Raheem Sterling (5)
Replacing Johnson, Sterling had little time to make an impact.