Newcastle 1 - 0 United

Yet another disappointing away result. What's most disappointing, and frustrating, is that we could have easily won the game yet ended without any points after conceding a goal from a freekick that Newcastle were awarded for a dive by Chris Smalling. 

Newcastle were better than us during the first half but then we got ourselves in the game and were probably the better side without being very special. Lukaku was our best player today despite not getting much joy in front of goal. He held play really well and some of his passing was excellent. He did ever so well to set up Alexis during the second half but our Chilean delayed his shot, with an open goal, and missed a really good chance. Should have scored there. Martial also should have had at least a goal to his name today. He was immaculately set up by Matic during the first but missed a 1v1 chance and then had two shots saved on the goal-line late in the second half. It was one of those days when nothing got our way but, despite Mourinho's gracefulness in defeat, there should be a few to blame and one or two questions to be asked. 

Was Pogba 100% ok? I don't think so, he just didn't look right today. What the hell was Smalling doing diving inside our own half? He was also lucky not to give away a penalty. Why isn't Shaw starting games? Did you notice that Martial and Lingard have been below par since Alexis' arrival? Plenty of thinking for Mourinho now, we're risking losing 2nd spot too. Newcastle's players "fought like animals", true, but ffs they hadn't won at home for months...I expect much better from our players. Time for Mourinho to become ruthless. 

Another away game, vs. Huddersfield next. The FA cup is our only hope for silverware this season.