North East Round-Up: A look back at all results in the North East
- Feb 2, 2018
- 4 min read
Another weekend of football has arrived so let’s round up the results across the North-East from the past week.
Newcastle
The Magpies suffered a 3-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday in the FA Cup, before bouncing back with a 1-1 home draw against Burnley on Wednesday night.
A tight opening half saw both teams have chances but Jamaal Lascelles put the home side ahead with a thumping header from a corner.
Sam Vokes then nearly equalized late on only for Karl Darlow to fumble it into his own net, gifting Burnley a point.
That leaves Newcastle 14th on 24 points, just one point above the relegation zone.
Brighton & Hove Albion, Stoke and Huddersfield are all below them on goal difference, whilst just eight points separate bottom club – West Bromwich Albion and Bournemouth, who currently sit 10th.
The tightness means that the Magpies can’t afford to drop points in coming games against Crystal Palace (A), Manchester United (H), Bournemouth (A) and Liverpool (A).
Realistically, looking at that run for the next month, the games against Palace and Bournemouth are six pointers without any doubt.
Its difficult to see them getting anything away to Liverpool on 3rd March but could get something at home to Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Either way, this coming month could be massive for Newcastle’s survival bid but they will need other results to go their way too.
Middlesbrough
Boro were dumped out of the FA Cup at weekend by Brighton thanks to a late winner from Glenn Murray.
They then played out a drab 0-0 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night.
The latter result has left the Teessiders sitting eighth in the Championship on 45 points and a win outside the play offs.
Automatic promotion hopes might appear slim but they’re just nine points off second, so if they can get a good unbeaten run going then don’t rule out Boro for a final day snatch.
They however will need to get past Sheffield United, Fulham, Bristol City, Cardiff, Aston Villa and Derby to do so and are play three of those teams in April.
February brings; Norwich (A), Reading (H), Cardiff (A), Hull (H) and Sunderland (A).
If they can overcome Norwich, then Reading, Hull and Sunderland should be an easy nine points to add.
It would mean getting something midweek in Cardiff could be key going into the final stages of this season and determining Boro’s promotion picture.
Sunderland
The Black Cats lost 3-1 in midweek at Birmingham City in a massive six pointer, with Bryan Oviedo netting a late consolation after goals from; David Davis, Jeremie Boga and Sam Gallagher put the Brummies 3-0 up.
That result coupled with a draw for Hull against Leeds leaves the Black Cats 23rd in a tight relegation fight, propped up by Burton Albion on 24 points to Barnsley in 19th with 27.
As things stand, it means that Sunderland’s survival bid could go all the way to the final day depending on their and other results being in their favour.
February however brings; Ipswich (H), Bristol City (A), Brentford (H), Bolton (A), Middlesbrough (H).
From those upcoming games, I can see Chris Coleman’s side needing some magic to get points but Bolton away is a six pointer, if they want to avoid relegation to League One.
Either way, results need to start improving now as we reach the business end or it will be back to back relegation's on Wearside.
Gateshead
The Heed drew 0-0 last time out at home to Wrexham after an impressive attacking display, marred by a lack of clinical finishing.
That result leaves them 14th in the National League on 40 points with a game in hand, 10 points above the relegation zone.
If you look at the bigger picture, the gap from 4th to Gateshead is just 12 points, meaning that if the Tynesiders can string a good run of results together and others falter then they could sneak a late play-off spot.
Hartlepool United
The Pools found themselves on the end of a painful 4-3 away defeat at Eastleigh. Goals from Michael Woods put Pool ahead twice either side of a 23rd minute Ayo Obileye equalizer.
The game then turned on its head when Chris Zebroski made it 2-2 heading into half time. He then came back out and netted his hat-trick with two second half goals in the 65th and 75th minute.
Conor Newton then managed to pull one back as a late consolation in 88th minute before Carl Magnay saw red for dissent in the 95th minute.
That result has left Hartlepool sitting 18th on 34 points and four above the drop zone, entering a critical February which features a six pointer in their survival fight at Halifax Town on the 24th.
Darlington
The Quakers won 3-2 away to Leamington last weekend after Stephen Thompson got his and the club’s first hat-trick of the season.
Thompson’s first came in the 9th minute after Reece Styche was brought down and a penalty got given. Up stepped Thompson to wrong foot Tony Breeden and fire the ball home.
Another penalty was then given, this time to Leamington after a foul and Callum Gittings scored to make it 1-1.
After the break, the home side went ahead through Jack Edwards who headed in from six yards out with a delivery from a corner.
The Quakers then dug deep before equalizing with 16 minutes left, when Thompson got ball on the edge of the area before running in and firing across into the net.
That set up a nervy finish till James Caton burst down the right in the 92nd minute before crossing to Thompson who slotted home for his hat-trick and a 3-2 away win.
That result leaves them 18th with 30 points and outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
However, Darlington can’t afford to slip up because those below them have games in hand and if they get a good points haul from those matches, it could leave the Quakers fighting for their National League North status.
Credit to The Gazzette for the first imagery used in this article, credit to Alun Roberts, freelance, and The Daily Post for the second image used and finally credit to Steve Halliday and Darlington FC for the third image used in this article.
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