Newcastle’s ‘fighting spirit’ impresses Matthias Jaissle as Tigers are tamed
The Magpies took control of the game with two early goals.
Matthias Jaissle hailed Newcastle’s “fighting spirit” following their 2-1 win over Hull at St James’ Park.
Goals from Joe Willock and Lewis Hall put the Magpies 2-0 up inside seven minutes and they had an opportunity to extend their advantage on the stroke of half-time, but Yoane Wissa’s penalty was well saved by Konstantinos Tzolakis.
The visitors grew into the second half and replied through substitute Mohamed-Ali Cho before Newcastle withstood late pressure to clinch three points.
Victory comes only five days after a 4-1 thrashing against Leeds and Jaissle expressed his delight at the performance from his injury-hit squad.
He said: “It was an intense game, like expected, they were unbeaten so far.
“The first half was on a really high level, the right response, the right reaction after Leeds, that was something we were really focusing on. Unbelievable, usually you should have killed the game really by a lead of three or four.
“Totally dominating the first half and then of course the missed penalty changed a little bit the momentum. They got some hope and we had some tired bodies in the end also on the pitch, we invested so much in the first half, also in the beginning of the second half.
“As the game continued, the lads were more tired, especially to put them more under pressure and keep them more away from their own box.
“As you also know at the moment we suffer with nine injured players. It was also the case there was limited capacity to rotate, to change, to make substitutions.
“I’m proud to see a fighting spirit. Also when you need to suffer it’s a team.
“Defending with the heart, with the commitment to win this game was exceptional. So therefore I’m really happy.”
Tino Livramento was among the Newcastle absentees and Jaissle revealed post-match that the full-back was missing due to some “discomfort” from training the previous day.
His absence meant nine senior players were out for the Hull match, leaving the Newcastle boss to name five academy players on the bench.
Speaking about the number of injuries, Jaissle added: “It’s a concern for me as a coach, definitely. We will start already from tomorrow morning to reflect on that.
“Hopefully after the break we have some lads back.”
Defeat on Tyneside ends Hull’s impressive unbeaten run in the Premier League, but Sergej Jakirovic insisted he was still proud of his side.
Despite conceding early, the Tigers put in a battling performance after the break and Cho’s goal sparked a flurry of late chances.
After five games on their top-flight return, Hull have recorded two wins, two draws and a loss.
Reflecting on the game, Jakirovic said: “I’m always disappointed when we lose the game, I think that we in the end deserved a point because (of) what we showed the second half.
“But the game is 90 minutes so you have to be strong all 90 minutes, but also I’m aware that this is a very demanding away pitch.
“It’s a great crowd, great atmosphere and I’m very proud because I’m part of this and my team showed that we can compete of this level, which is more proud for me (sic).”