article_snippet.sent: Still 25 yards out, the former England striker must have thought about bringing the ball under control.
article_snippet.sent: It was difficult to understand for long periods what Newcastle were actually trying to do.
article_snippet.sent: If they were trying to suffocate the game then for a while Newcastle worked.
article_snippet.sent: Once they got caught, though, they seemed to possess neither the wit nor the willpower to find a way back.
article_snippet.sent: they earned possession and territory off the back of hard work but didn’t do much with the ball.
article_snippet.sent: A Billy Jones cut-back from a corner to the far post was cut out by Jonas Gutierrez in the 10th minute,, while Jordi Gomez struck a low free-kick at Krul (left) and Connor Wickham’s header was deflected wide by Moussa Sissoko, the Newcastle captain.
article_snippet.sent: Had Newcastle possessed any forward thrust at all, they might have found a way into the game.
article_snippet.sent: Another goal would have settled their nerves and their had opportunities.
article_snippet.sent: Indeed, their looked more dangerous in the second half.
article_snippet.sent: A header on the hour needed more power to beat Krul and then another chance, provided by Sunderland’s low cross, was spurned on the back of a decision to pivot away from goal and shoot on the turn rather than drive towards goal on his right side.
article_snippet.sent: Sebastian Larsson also failed in front of goal as the clock ticked on while, belatedly, Newcastle found a little something.
article_snippet.sent: A draw, though, would have been a joke.