Newcastle's automatic promotion hopes suffer major setback as they crash to a 3-1 defeat against Ipswich
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Forget Devon Loch's collapse in sight of the winning post at the Grand National – 61 years later it's happening again to Rafa Benitez at the Blaydon Races.
As Newcastle United's stumble towards promotion turned into Bank Holiday gridlock at Portman Road, manager Benitez accused his players of switching off and not being “mentally ready.”
With just two wins from their last eight games, the Toon are wobbling like a Turkish belly dancer's midriff and Benitez groaned: “I'm concerned about the change from the performance against Leeds on Good Friday to the performance here.
“We knew it could be this kind of game today and I thought we were ready – but it seems we were not focused or mentally ready.
(Photo: Rex Features)
“All the goals were massive mistakes. We need to analyse the performance, but everyone has to take responsibility. I know what I told the players at half-time and at the end, but something was wrong and we have to change quickly.”
Ipswich had not won back-to-back games all season, but when former Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy rattled his collection tin, Benitez's dunces gave generously.
Apart from Matt Ritchie's stooping header over the top, neither side had threatened in a sterile first half until Freddie Sears – afforded charitable space in the box - fired the home side in front three minutes before the break.
It was Sears' fourth goal in his last four League games – as many as the previous 61.
When ex-Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy met Christian Atsu's cross at the far post to equalise after 62 minutes, and even his jilted Suffolk flock joined in the applause, it looked as if Newcastle would go on to win.
(Photo: PA)
But the Magpies failed to track David McGoldrick's run from left to right across the box and he popped up at the far post to turn in Sears' low centre and restore Ipswich's lead seven minutes later.
Newcastle rarely threatened to salvage a point until Emyr Huws settled all arguments in stoppage time with a close-range volley from substitute Brett Pitman's cross.
As a memorial to Sir Bobby Robson, who managed both clubs, Ipswich unfurled their best performance of the season and boss McCarthy said: “To talk about Newcastle being nervous and not playing well would be an injustice to my team.
“I thought it was a fitting tribute to Sir Bobby. I'm not sure whose side he would have been on, but he must have favoured us today.”
Player Ratings
Ipswich: Bialkowski 7, Spence 6, Chambers 8, Berra 7, Kenlock 6 (Emmanuel, 77), Lawrence 8 (Pitman, 89), Huws 6, Skuse 6, Ward 6, Sears 7, McGoldrick 8* (Smith, 86).
Newcastle: Darlow 5, Yedlin 5 (Gamez, 78), Lascelles 6, Hanley 5, Dummett 6, Shelvey 5, Hayden 6 (Gouffran, 61), Ritchie 5 (Mitrovic, 81), Diame 6, Atsu 6, Murphy 6.