Newcastle United brought Liverpool back down to earth by defeating them 2-0 at St James' Park on Sunday.
The Magpies got back to winning form after heavy back-to-back defeats thanks largely to the impressive Georginio Wijnaldum who was the architect of the triumph.
The Dutchman's 69th-minute effort was inadvertently deflected into his own net by Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel before the Magpies summer signing added a second in injury-time with a classy chip over Simon Mignolet from Moussa Sissoko's through ball.
It was a sense of relief for Steve McClaren's Toon who moved up to 18th position with their third win of the campaign as Jurgen Klopp's Reds dropped to eighth after two wins on the trot.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Newcastle United: 2 (Martin Skrtel (OG) 69', Georginio Winaldum 90+3')
Liverpool: 0
St James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne - 51,273
TALKING POINTS
- Can Newcastle build on this win and climb away from the bottom three? Will the penny drop for McClaren's players?
- Were we all getting carried away with Klopp's Liverpool? They were a shadow of the team that had demolished Man City and Southampton in recent outings.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Newcastle head to Tottenham on Sunday in search of a second straight victory as Liverpool prepare for Thursday nought's Europa League meeting with FC Sion prior to the weekend's home clash with West Bromwich Albion.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Big win! Congrats to @GWijnaldum! Thanks to the fans for help us to get the 3 points! #Howaytheladspic.twitter.com/Y7e7GT4PVe
— Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) December 6, 2015What an amazing day!! We've got the 3 points! I'm proud of the team. pic.twitter.com/x6ywHM6H4g
— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) December 6, 2015Jürgen Klopp reflects on #LFC's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park
https://t.co/avBClkzI0apic.twitter.com/uu6wIlnaKi
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 6, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Newcastle's McClaren on his feelings after the win:
"Sheer relief because even then I thought with a minute to go, we could likely concede two with the way we go.
"It was relief because you know Liverpool, they have got quality players in any moment and that could have spoiled it, like (against) Chelsea, conceding just at the end.
"It could have spoiled it, but it didn't today. We'll enjoy this for 24 hours."
Liverpool boss Klopp on what went wrong:
"Nearly everything, I would say. The start, the middle and the end. I don't know.
"It was an open game with no rhythm from our side. We were not creative enough, so we had no chances."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
7 - Martin Skrtel has now scored seven own goals in the Premier League; only Richard Dunne (10) has more. Oops.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 20157 - All seven of Georginio Wijnaldum's Premier League goals for Newcastle have arrived at St. James' Park. Comforts.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 6, 2015
TEAM LEADERS
Newcastle
Goals - Georginio Wijnaldum 7
Assists - Moussa Sissoko 5
Clean sheets - Rob Elliot 3
Yellow cards - Jack Colback 6
Red cards - Aleksandar Mitrovic, Daryl Janmaat, Fabricio Coloccini 1
Liverpool
Goals - Philippe Coutinho 5
Assists - Philippe Coutinho, James Milner, Roberto Firmino 3
Clean sheets - Simon Mignolet 5
Yellow cards - Lucas Leiva, James Milner 6
Red cards - Philippe Coutinho 1
