Mbemba Gets Shirty

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

For 90 minutes on Saturday, Chancel Mbemba was Newcastle United's very own Ebenezer Scrooge; tight, miserly and determined not to hand any Boxing Day gifts to Everton's forward line.

But once the final whistle blew - and despite the disappointment of a late, late loss to the visitors - the defender was in a far more charitable mood as he handed out signed replica shirts to supporters.

The 21-year-old, who sends a percentage of his wages back to his native DR Congo to help the sick and needy, was a surprise guest at the Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association's Christmas party earlier this month, joining Florian Thauvin in meeting fans and signing autographs.

On Saturday, still dressed in his full kit, he headed over to the South West corner with a bag full of shirts that he had bought, all bearing his name, squad number and signature, and gave them to fans who had stayed behind to applaud the team for a gutsy performance.

"Because it's Christmas, I wanted to give the fans who support us every single match a little present to say thank you," he told nufcTV. "I thought the best way to do that was to give them a signed shirt.

"Unfortunately we all feel a little bit sad after (Boxing Day). I don't think we deserved the loss - I think we at least deserved a draw - but it's nice to know they've gone home a little bit happier.

"Hopefully they'll keep coming out, and we need them to keep coming out and supporting us like they do every single match."

United head to the Hawthorns on Monday to face West Bromwich Albion, and a second game in three days provides the Magpies with an opportunity to quickly get over their disappointment.

Mbemba said: "We need to make sure we manage ourselves and look after ourselves well. We need to get some rest, we need to go away and sleep, and recover well.

"And when we go out there and play, we're looking forward to getting the fantastic support we had (on Saturday) as well.

"The fans, if I could say one thing, were fantastic; they were behind us all the way and we're going to keep working hard for them.

"We just have to there and try and get the three points."

On Saturday, Mbemba came up against Romelu Lukaku, who failed to score for the first time in nine games.

The big Belgian's game is based on strength and size, but on Monday he could find himself in direct opposition with West Brom's small and skilful striker, Saido Berahino.

However, Mbemba insisted: "I don't mind who I play against.

"I have to obviously look at other teams and see the different types of players they have, and my job is to defend. I have to defend against whoever it is I come up against.

"We go to West Brom next and we're going there to win. Everton came here and unfortunately they stole the victory.

"They had the luck on their side, they took their chance, and that's what we need to look to do when we go away."

You can watch the full nufcTV interview with Chancel Mbemba here