We Could Have Nicked it, Says Jamaal

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Jamaal Lascelles believes Newcastle United were unfortunate not to take all three points from their Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City on Tuesday night.

Sergio Aguero headed the visitors in front at St. James' Park, but Vurnon Anita's strike just after the half hour levelled the scores.

And City had to hold on at times, with Benitez's side piling on the pressure and substitute Georginio Wijnaldum being denied a late winner by goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Lascelles told nufc.co.uk that the Magpies' battling spirit had served them well against Manuel Pellegrini's reigning champions.

The centre half reckons the result against the Champions League semi-finalists will act as a "confidence boost" as Rafa Benitez and his team prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

"We had to keep the same attitude we had against Swansea, and we did that. Our preparation for this game's been excellent. We knew it was going to be a massive game and we've taken it really professionally, and it showed today," said the 22-year-old.

"There was a few times when we got them on the break, and with Gini's chance at the end, I thought 'we could nick something here'.

"But it was a great effort from the lads. Obviously on paper, people would have had Manchester City down to beat us, so it just goes to show that if you have that fight and passion, you can do what you want on the day, and I'm really pleased for the boys."

He added: "It's just a little confidence boost and it puts us on the front foot. The situation we're in now is not nice to be in, but it is a confidence boost and we can only take the positives from that and just move on to the game on Saturday."

Lascelles - who scored his second Magpies goal in the 3-0 victory over Swansea City on Saturday - impressed again as part of a resolute defensive United that limited City's illustrious side to few clear-cut chances.

And the former Nottingham Forest man expressed his satisfaction at the way he and his teammates restricted Aguero and co to fleeting sights of goal.

"Ultimately, for me as a defender, I'm really impressed with the way everyone was defending. Not just the back four - the midfielders were getting back and tracking runners, and the organisation and communication throughout the team now is so much better than it has been, and I think that's vital for this team because that's what we need," he said.

"It is Aguero, but he's just a man, and I'm a man. Obviously he's more experienced, but if we stick to our jobs, listen to what the gaffer says and give our all, he's still just a human being and he can't just do what he wants."

He continued: "I just try and do my best for the team, really. I just keep trying my hardest and that's all I can do - just do my bit for the team. More so, I like to communicate to others and boss people about, because I think that's what we've lacked and that's what we've needed. So I'm there to boss people about, make sure everyone's doing their jobs and keep on at everybody, and I think it's working."

United's trip to Anfield at the weekend will see them come up against another side who have made it to the final four in European competition, with Jurgen Klopp's men having seen off Borussia Dortmund to reach the Europa League semi-finals last week.

And Lascelles insists that United can't begin to look too far ahead as they bid to make sure of their top flight safety, saying it's vital that he and his teammates "keep our heads screwed on" when they head to Merseyside.

"It's a massive test, but we're really looking forward to it. Obviously it's nice that we've got a game coming round the corner again, but we've got to just take it game by game, step by step," he said.

"I don't really look at the table too much. I just tend to take things game by game, because we can't really affect the other teams around us. But we've got to keep our heads. We can't get complacent because we've had a win and a draw, we've not had it much this season, so the main thing for us is to stay professional.

"We need to remember where we are and what we still have to do, so we've just got to keep our heads screwed on."