Ayoze rues missed chances

Perez started just behind Daryl Murphy in the Sky Bet Championship clash at St. Andrew’s, and both players had shots saved by Blues goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who was in inspired form for the home side.

And the 23-year-old told nufc.co.uk that the Magpies just lacked the cutting edge that would have seen them return to Tyneside with three points.

“We had a lot of chances, but we didn’t take them. I would say in both halves we were better than them. We were on the ball trying to create chances and we did, but the main thing is scoring goals and we didn’t do that today,” said Perez.

“After the game, seeing how it was, I would say that we should have picked up the three points and come back home with them. But we didn’t score our chances, and this is football. You have to take the point, and do well at home now.

“We had more possession today which is good, we had more control of the game and with the chances that we couldn’t score, one day you’ll score three and on another day you don’t score. That’s football, and you have to deal with it. The feeling is that we played quite well, even though we didn’t win it.

“But we have to keep going, make sure we keep going in the same way; training hard in the next two weeks and making sure we change our form at home. We have two games at home now and we have to be really strong at home. That will give us more of a chance of staying at the top.”

Perez’s first half effort led to Matt Ritchie bundling home what United thought was the opener, but the offside flag denied him.

And the Spaniard said afterwards that he believed the goal was a legitimate one.

“I think it wasn’t offside in this case. But the referee has made a decision and you have to respect it,” he said.

“From my angle, I shot and the keeper saved it, and then Matty came from behind me and scored it. But the linesman said it’s not allowed, and that’s it.”

Rafa Benitez’s side now have a two-week break in league action due to the international break.

They’ll then face back-to-back home games against Wigan Athletic and Burton Albion at St. James’ Park.

And Perez reckons the break will give United the chance to recharge themselves ahead of the hectic end-of-season run in.

“It might be good for us, having a little break, some days to rest the legs and mentally as well,” he said. “Hopefully it’ll be good for the team and will make sure that we still focussing on the league, because we’ve got eight more games to stay at the top.

“It can be really important, because we gave to make sure that we rest ourselves but keep our mind on what is going on. It’ll be a busy April, but it’s the end of the season. We have to give everything we’ve got to stay at the top.”