United got what they deserved – nothing
THE Championship can be an unforgiving league, as Newcastle United found out at Pride Park.
Just four days after a resounding win at St James's Park, Chris Hughton's side suffered their heaviest defeat of the season on a bitterly cold February night.
While the 3-0 scoreline flattered Derby County, few in the 28,607 crowd would argue that Newcastle didn't get what they deserved last night – nothing.
United, inexplicably given the way they tore apart Cardiff City, were second best in just about every department.
And few players emerged with any credit as the club suffered its first defeat in 16 league games, their last loss having been to Scunthorpe United back on October 20.
This performance was just as forgettable as that at Glanford Park.
From the whistle Derby tore into Newcastle, who held out until the 40th minute, when the unmarked Rob Hulse headed a cross from Kris Commons past a helpless Steve Harper.
Commons, the best player on the pitch, scored a second from the spot after Jonas Gutierrez needlessly brought down Michael Tonge as he ran away from goal.
Four minutes later it was all over after Commons's half-cleared corner was swept in by Shaun Barker.
Hughton, understandably, had named an unchanged team, believing those 11 players who had torn apart Cardiff deserved another start.
Yet would the result have been any different had Hughton – who up to now hasn't been afraid to change a winning side – tinkered with his starting XI?
Commons caused havoc dropping deep into the territory where Alan Smith – brought on after the third goal went in along with Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi – usually roams.
And would Lovenkrands – who had scored two goals after coming off the bench in the previous game – have caused more problems up front than Leon Best, who is still adjusting to life at United?
Certainly, there will be changes for Saturday's visit to Swansea City, a team which is more than comfortable in possession, and capable of stifling the best in the division.
Fabricio Coloccini's return in defence would be welcome, and Smith – whose never-say-die attitude has been crucial away from home – is almost certain to return.
The Scunthorpe defeat, in the long run, did United more good than harm, Hughton's players having beaten a 60-year-old unbeaten run in the months since then.
They're more than capable of doing the same again, and Nottingham Forest's own loss away to Coventry City showed Billy Davies's side are far from infallible themselves.
However, West Bromwich Albion, the league's new leaders, are now in the box seat, though Newcastle have a game in hand over Roberto Di Matteo's side, who have the distraction of an FA Cup tie against Reading on Saturday.
United's exit from the competition at The Hawthorns could yet prove a blessing, as on this evidence, the Championship needs every ounce of their energy. It ain't over yet.
DERBY COUNTY: Bywater; Hunt, Barker, Buxton, McEveley; Tonge, Savage (Anderson, 88), Green, Pearson; Hulse (Martin, 87), Commons (Vidal, 80). Subs not used: Teale, Porter, Deeney, Moxey.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Hall, van Aanholt (Smith, 67); Routledge, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez; Best (Lovenkrands, 67), Carroll (Ameobi, 67). Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Donaldson, Pancrate.
Goals: Hulse 40, Commons 59 (pen), Barker 64
Bookings: Savage 37, Nolan 57, Pearson 64, Buxton 68, Green 86
Sent off: None
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Wythenshawe)
Attendance: 28,607
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Friday 25 May 2012
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