NEWCASTLE, England — U2’s “Beautiful Day” played over the public address system at St. James’ Park before kickoff and Newcastle supporters greeted new chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan with a deafening roar as he took his place in the directors’ box but, by the final whistle, it was a case of “new owners, same old story,” as home fans called for Steve Bruce to be sacked after Tottenham’s 3-2 win kept their team in the Premier League relegation zone.
The dismissal of substitute Jonjo Shelvey for two yellow cards in the space of 23 second-half minutes only served to add to the sense of this Newcastle team showing its true face to the new owners, who can be in no doubt as to what they must do simply to make the club competitive in the Premier League.
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As for Bruce, this was his 1,000th game as a manager, and he will not remember it fondly. Managing his hometown club has been a two-year ordeal and, though he was defiant after the game — “I’m never gonna chuck it when we’re in the bottom three” — the 60-year-old will not be in charge for another, if supporters get their wish.
Newcastle’s long-suffering fans have spent the last two weeks playing fantasy football following the £305 million takeover of the club by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), but it was a £150m-rated striker who, after Callum Wilson’s second-minute opener further buoyed home fans’ hype and optimism, delivered a reality check.
Harry Kane, who missed out on a move to Manchester City due to the champions’ refusal to meet Tottenham’s valuation, scored with a sublime lob and created a goal for Son Heung-Min as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side recovered from their early setback to claim a victory that was more emphatic than the final score suggested.
In time, Newcastle might attract world-class players such as Kane if the club’s new owners invest the funds that many expect them to plough into the club, but there will be…
Source : espn
