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No Blame From Stand-In Skipper
Written by Newcastle Utd
Yohan Cabaye insists United's squad 'win and lose together' after they went down 3-1 at Benfica on Thursday
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Yohan Cabaye refused to blame any of his teammates for Newcastle United's Europa League quarter-final first leg 3-1 defeat at Benfica, insisting on a collective responsibility instead.
The Magpies took a surprise - but deserved - early lead at the Estadio da Luz on Thursday night through Papiss Cisse's 11th goal of the season, only for it to be cancelled out by Rodrigo before half-time.
After the break, Davide Santon's back-pass was seized on by Lima to grab the hosts' second, shortly before a handball from Steven Taylor allowed Oscar Cardozo to net from the penalty spot.
But while the stand-in skipper explained his frustration at conceding "silly goals", he was quick to point out the togetherness which runs through United's dressing room.
"We started well and went 1-0 up and were playing well, even going into half-time drawing 1-1," Cabaye told nufc.co.uk following the final whistle in Lisbon.
"Papiss was so close to getting us a second goal but then we gave away two silly goals, I think.
"They were poor ones, nut there is no blame. We are a team and we lose together, just as we win together.
"The big chances we had in the match can give us hope for the second leg next week. There are positives to take.
"We know what we have to do in the second leg. We have enough quality in the team to get a win and hopefully we can get both goals back.
"It's not over yet. We've played one game with another to come. It is like half-time and I believe we can do something in the second leg."