Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool: 7 Biggest Factors In Unexpected Victory

2. Mehdi Abeid And Jack Colback

The decision to bring Mehdi Abeid into the starting line-up looked a slightly odd one before the game, but by the end it was roundly declared a master-stroke. Fresh from making Yaya Toure look like Kolo Toure in the League Cup, he was chosen ahead of Vurnon Anita and Ryan Taylor (an outside bet at most probably), and he once more took to the task beautifully. Sitting alongside Colback, the defensive midfielder showed how far he's come recently by putting in an imperious display, nullifying the threat of Coutinho, as Colback dealt similarly with Jordan Henderson, and stopping Liverpool playing through the middle. Newcastle's interceptions all came in front of the defence, showing how hard both players worked to put out the kind of throw-balls that Liverpool usually profit from, and neither shirked in challenges, despite the increasing pressure the Reds put them under. Abeid deservedly won Man Of The Match, and in truth Colback wouldn't have been far behind.