BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after Arsenal 1-0 | OneFootball

Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 1-0 against Arsenal.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion the politics entirely absent, just a few of them enjoying the fact Newcastle United lost a match…

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Arsenal fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘As an arsenal fan I say this with the utmost respect. I’m glad to get one over on you. You’ve had our number, and when it really mattered you had our number. A trophy and I’m sure you’ll get top 5. You’ve had a hell of a year. Can’t dislike Eddie Howe and since money landed you’ve done things right and not just splashed.’

‘Fair comment, however if you can’t splash the cash it makes no difference. We can’t splash it. so the latter part of your comment is baffling.’

‘I’ve always got time for Newcastle and their fans even after some of the results this season. I hope they can secure a CL spot. A tough match today.’

‘Eddie Howe> Arteta. Man management. Style. And true class of a man. Arteta should take some notes.’

‘Newcastle are a great team with great fans. I think Raya must’ve had the possibility of the golden glove on his mind today!’

‘I am a Palace fan and and I am still on cloud 9 after they beat City. Both Newcastle (who I supported in the EFL cup final) and Palace started as underdogs in their respective cup final games and they both won. That was good for football.’

‘Tough fought 3 points for us today.

Newcastle are a dangerous team and Howe has done a tremendous job. Hope to not play them more than twice next season please.’

‘Good result for Arsenal. Newcastle are so good, and getting better. Excellent goal from Declan Rice.’

‘A tough game, Newcastle are a top side, three points, well played lads.’

‘Roll on Pickford and Everton winning.’

‘Does that wallop from Havertz make him the premier league all time elbow in the face olympic gold medal champion. Come on referees open your eyes! Thanks, Chairman of The Flat Nose Society.’

‘Players chasing a win get frustrated when teams defending a lead slow the game down, break up play and run down the clock. Arsenal in particular were very vocal about this after a game they lost at St James’ Park in 2023 (the one with the touchline call), they coined the phrase “Dark Arts” or at least put it in the public consciousness there.

It’s natural, it’s normal, and goes both ways.’

‘Obviously it is within the rules to throw the ball at Arsenal’s players.’

‘Howe well and truly shot himself in the foot! Starting with Wilson upfront was such a poor decision. Bruno as always an artist of giving the ball away with too many touches. Gordon is a waste of space. Toon should have put the game to bed before halftime.’

‘What game were you watching?’

‘Newcastle probably deserved a point overall because they were much the better team in the first half and Raya saved Arsenal three times. Arsenal bossed the second half though but it was a close game.’

‘Howe’s tactics worked perfectly in the first half, only Raya kept Arsenal in the game. Arteta won the tactical battle in the second half but they were still very much hanging on in injury time, which is not something previous Newcastle teams have generally done there.’

‘Newcastle “dark arts ” didn’t help this time , instead Arsenal did it to you .’

‘Absolutely, Arsenal did it very well and should be applauded (except for the whole whining about it 2 years ago thing making them total hypocrites).’

‘A win is a win and as a Gunner utmost respect for EH and all is doing at Newcastle, a terrific team. Now, let’s see what the summer brings!’

‘But for Rice that game would have finished 0-0.

But for Raya that game could have finished 0-3.’

‘(Spurs fan) Newcastle are a bunch of bottle jobs, win a pub cup and they suddenly think they’re big time.’

‘Newcastle had five shots on target in the opening 17 minutes, but didn’t manage another one for the rest of the game. It’s goals that counts, and that’s what The Arsenal got.’

‘Thought both teams cancelled each other out, the only difference being a great first 20 minutes by Raya, a Gordon error and great finish by Rice……Oh! Is Havertz one of the most cowardly forwards around, leading with the elbow??’

Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Sunday 18 May 4.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Arsenal:

Rice 55

Possession was Newcastle 48% Arsenal 52%

Total shots were Newcastle 14 Arsenal 12

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Arsenal 4

Corners were Newcastle 7 Arsenal 10

Touches in the box Newcastle 33 Arsenal 33

Newcastle team v Arsenal:

Pope, Botman (Krafth 64), Schar, Burn, Livramento, Gordon, Tonali, Bruno, Barnes (Willock 76), Wilson (Osula 64), Murphy (Miley 63)

Unused Subs:

Dubravka, Lascelles, Longstaff, Neave, Ruddy

(Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

(3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Read HERE)

(Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)