BEST PERFORMANCE (Match Day 11)
Here we have the match of the the day from Division 2 for Turn 11. However, for this match day, instead of focusing on which encounter produced the 'best match', I will instead be focusing on which team put up the best performance on match day 11.
Newcastle United 6 - 1 Portsmouth
M. VUCINIC 30, 89
R. LEWANDOWSKI 38, 57
S. KAGAWA 51
S. NASRI 67
W. SNEIDJER 76
This turn's match of the day is without a doubt, Newcastle vs. Portsmouth - 1st vs 2nd in which Newcastle shocked everyone by thrashing the second placed team 6-1. It was indeed shocking to see Portsmouth who are second in the league get completely destroyed, albeit by the table-toppers. Newcastle were absolutely magnificent on Saturday night and they showed everyone in Division 2 just how good they are and exactly why they're at the very top of the table.
The match was in fact quite an even encounter with both teams getting numerous chances but Newcastle were finishing with ease and converted 66% of the shots they had on target whereas Portsmouth only managed to convert 10% of the shots they had on target. Newcastle lined up in 1 3-5-2 formation while Portsmouth lined up in 4-2-3-1 formation.
Newcastle Line-Up (3-5-2)
Diego Alves
C. Ansaldi - D. Criscito - T. Vermaelen
Y. Toure
M. Pjanic - W. Sneidjer - A. Herrera - S. Nasri
R. Lewandowski (c) - M. Vucinic
Portsmouth Line-Up (4-2-3-1)
David Ospina
L. Allan - M. Fernandes - M. Dawson (c) - G. Schennikov
J. Guilavogui - K P Boateng
E. Lamela - L. Baptistao - S. Kagawa
B. Gomis
The scoring was opened in the 30th minute by Newcastle, Mirko Vucinic scoring his 5th league goal this season. Shortly after the opener, Newcastle Captain Robert Lewandowski grabbed his side's second goal of the match and his 8th of the season. The Toon Army went into the half-time break with a 2-0 lead.
Portsmouth managed to bring themselves back into the game shortly after the half-time break as they pulled back a goal in the 51st minute when Shinji Kagawa found the back of the net. Just when Portsmouth thought they were back in it, Lewandowski scored his second of the match in the 57th minute, making it 3-1 to Newcastle. Ander Herrera spotted Lewandowski's run and played the ball to him and Lewandowski had a clear run at goal and he made no mistake from there. After that goal, Newcastle seized control of the match and it seemed almost impossible for them to miss.
Lewandowski celebrating after scoring his second goal of the match
Samir Nasri scored Newcastle's 4th goal of the match in the 67th minute as he received the ball from Miralem Pjanic and then took it into the box and fired home. Just 9 minutes after Nasri's goal, Loureiro Allan brought down Ander Herrera with a rash challenge and the ref awarded the free-kick to Newcastle. Wesley Snedijer stepped up to take it and the Dutchman went for power with the free-kick and hit it perfectly and the ball flew into the net leaving David Ospina helpless. The final goal of the match came in the 89th minute of play, Lewandowski was involved again as he put in a volleyed ball into the box which was controlled by Mirko Vucinic and the 30 year old fired it into the back of the net.
Newcastle Captain Robert Lewandowski was adjudged the Man of the Match for his performance as he scored 2 goals and assisted one goal as well. Lewandowski was outstanding and led from the front and was definitely the deserving Man of the Match.
It was a fine display of attacking football from Newcastle as they thrashed Portsmouth in what was expected to be a very close match. The win gave Newcastle a 3-point cushion at the top of the table. Manager Mark Preston must be delighted with how his team performed on such a big occasion and he will be hoping that his side can continue playing like they did on Saturday night.
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