4. Winning Headers Is Key
And equally, defending set-pieces should be lesson number one for any defence seeking to minimise the attacking opportunities of any opponent. For the majority of the game, Newcastle stuggled to win any headers: at the back allowing their opponents two easy goals from set-pieces that should have been dealt with, or at least pressured, and up front frustratingly failing to win any long balls that were infuriatingly sent forward to two strikers who are obviously unable to win the ball in the air, despite their prowess with the ball at their feet. Newcastle have struggled all season with set-pieces, and though there was one early glimpse of a routine from the training ground, that almost gifted Cisse a goal, towards the end of the game, they reverted to type, hitting crosses and corners to the back post for someone (usually Mike Williamson) to head the ball back across for someone in the box to win. Unfortunately, that hasn't worked for the past three years, and it isn't going to start against a team as capable in the air as Man United. Alan Pardew needs to spend some serious time on the training ground on both set-pieces and simple heading work - because players like Mike Williamson cannot direct their headers, and some others in the team fail with the majority of their attempts to win a header at all - like Cheick Tiote. It is a huge hole in the skill-sets of the team, and against any team that can command in the air, the result will be as embarrassing as the two goals from corners were yesterday.