[themaclad]

This could have been an interesting game if Derby had not equalised late on against Huddersfield on Monday tea time, Town would have been within striking distance of United with a game in hand, however Butterfield's goal has given United some breathing space and therefore although some pressure will be onUnited not as much as they would have been.
Only two wins in their last eight games has given them a bit of a wobble however they should just have enough to get them over the line given the squad they have.
Losing last time out at Ipswich has probably given Brighton the title which is a bit of a surprise, they probably have been a bit hamstrung by the loss of Gayle but it is always harder once the finishing line is in site.
Second visit to St James's this season lost the first 6-0 mind you it was both sides reserves that played although theirs was slightly better than ours, we also had Browne sent off early doors which didn't help.
Given we appear to have given up away from home this should be a breeze for United but seeing it's on Sky we may actually put in a decent performance however with three quarters of the back four either suspended or injured and our only midfielder who can tackle suspended this could be a really long night.
Browning is back in training get the feeking he will play on Monday, nice one to comeback too, he may have a busy night. One other connection with the league cup tie is referee Andy Madley he did that one as well. In the last three games he has been in charge of us there have been 14 goals.
Yep I'm going looking forward to the 140 steps up to the Gods.

[themaclad]

On another night with a full line up we may have got something from this game, however when you are playing top sides in the league, gifting them goals does tend to make things harder and did we give them some goals last night.
For the first ten minutes United nearly blew us away scoring one and could have had others, Maxwell looking less than convincing between the sticks for North End, the goal when it came was poorly defended, Maxwell flapped a corner and from close range Perez had the simple task of scoring from close range, heading for a hiding not quite, when we eventually got past the initial first ten minutes we began to look semi decent and should have been level when Johnson was played into acres of space and advanced unopposed on the United goal, Elliotwent the wrong way but saved Johnson's shot with his legs. Not to worry wasn't long before we were level, Barkuizen advanced down the left cut inside and crossed where Hugill headed past Elliot to level the score. First goal I've seen us score at St James's taken 31 years.
United dominated the ball but apart from a series of corners rarely looked like regaining the lead and with Barkuizen threatening on the break, we were well in the game until the stroke of half time when Johnson and McGeady left the ball to each other and within 10 seconds of the hesitation Atsu had tapped in at the back post.
Second half United started well again but we gradually got back into it Barkuizen again down the left got into a good position,crossed but Hugill just couldn't get on the end of it. And that was our last chance of the game. Just after the hour United were deneied a third by a great save not by Maxwell but by Gallagher, red card and a penalty, Ritchie scored although Maxwell did go the correct way. Within two minutes it was four when Perez again scored from another corner which Maxwell flapped at. From then on in it was like a training game, United could have scored more didn't and eased their way to promotion.
Strange atmosphere didn't feel like a promotion party and a lot of home fans were drifting to the exit before the end.
We miss Clarke and Cunningham but think we have a potential really good player in Boylen, think the beach is calling for some of them but still two to go.

Newcastle United 4 Preston North End 1 Att 50212