It only took five minutes for Eddie Howe’s decision to bring Ciaran Clark back into the Newcastle United side to massively backfire.
Following Joao Cancelo’s fifth minute cross on the stretch from the by-line, a breakdown in communication resulted in Ruben Dias heading home to give the visitors the lead at St James’ Park.
Martin Dubravka was rooted to his spot and the Northern Ireland international decided to duck, which allowed the Portuguese centre back to head past Newcastle’s number one.
It was horrendous and shocking defending by the league’s leakiest defence, it was an absolute gift. Neither Dubravka or Clark took charge.
Commentating on the game, Sky Sports’ Don Goodman said: “I am almost speechless about how poor this is. It is a gift.”
Former Premier League defender Jamie Carragher said: “As l said before the game, Newcastle are not good enough defensively – certainly not at centre-back.”
The clash against the reigning Premier League champions was Clark’s first appearance since his inexplicable error against Norwich City, where he was sent off after pulling back Teemu Pukki.
In the three games that Clark hasn’t featured, club captain Jaamal Lascelles was partnered by Fabian Schar, who dropped to the bench against Pep Guardiola’s side.
With Federico Fernandez set to miss the festive calendar, January cannot come soon enough for Howe and PIF.
Following the clash against Manchester United on 27 December, Howe has a favourable run of fixtures against four of the league’s bottom seven.
They are going to be crucial ‘six-pointers’. Howe cannot afford to be starting Clark, who has made high-profile and costly errors in back-to-back appearances.
He’s a Championship defender and if the former Bournemouth man keeps on playing the 32-year-old that’s where Newcastle will be playing our football next season.
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