Newcastle United won a game of football. Steve McClaren saved his job for another week. That's all that matters. Georginio Wijnaldum's cross-cum-shot that deflected off Martin Skrtel and into the roof of the Liverpool net, and sumptuous chip with what as almost the last kick of the game, was the difference on an ugly afternoon at St James' Park. With just two wins in the Barclays Premier League so far this season, Steve McClaren was desperate for a victory against Liverpool to silence the boo boys at St James' Park. Last weekend's 5-1 humiliation away at former manager Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace meant Magpies headed into the game second bottom of the league. Bournemouth's shock win away at reigning Champions Chelsea last night meant this encounter had more than a whiff of must win - or perhaps must not lose - about it. It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for United, as both Jack Colback and Chancel Mbemba failed to clear easy balls inside the first minutes. The nerves that come with being in the bottom three were glaringly obvious. However, The Magpies managed stem the early tide and contested the opening 20 very well. So well in fact that they killed the game, with neither side having a chance until 21 minutes when a Liverpool corner saw Christian Benteke prod over from six yards after a Dejan Lovren knock down. Papiss Cisse then had The Magpies' first clear opening in the 32nd minute, bringing down a deep cross before firing wide with a snap shot. He should have scored. The Senegalese striker messed up another guilt-edged opening eight minutes later, but after baring down on goal with only a couple of Liverpool defenders in his way, he ran straight into them and the chance petered out with both Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabricio Coloccini in support. Cisse was at the centre of everything United did going forward. His flick-on from a corner saw Mbemba rise but head over a difficult chance from eight yards out. Jordan Ibe saw a piledriver to see the first half out. Newcastle started the second half on the front, which the crowd reacted to and made for the best atmosphere inside St James' Park for a long time. Mbemba almost got on the end of a cross which signified a more adventurous Magpies' approach. After another cagey period in the game, United's opening goal arrived. The ball broke for Gini Wijnaldum who took the ball wide of the six yard box and saw his cross-cum-shot deflect off a Martin Skrtel and into the roof of the net. Delirium. The introduction of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi saw Liverpool go well on top, but they couldn't find a way past Rob Elliot in the Magpies' goal. The England forward especially will be unhappy that he didn't find the back of the net with a clear one-on-one from a narrow angle. Newcastle's second of the afternoon came after a Moussa Sissoko break away played in Wijnaldum. The pass looked heavy but the Dutchman chipped over Simon Mignolet for a delightful finish to the game. The away side pressed and pressed but couldn't get past a dogged United who held on for a precious three points.
