Newcastle 2 v 2 Liverpool – Where To Watch Highlights, Twitter Reaction, Stats, Analysis

Round-up and reaction as Newcastle drew 2-2 with Liverpool at St James' Park in a match that had all the drama to bring about the perfect return from the international break to Premier League action.

Match Analysis

Newcastle and Liverpool both started the match with lively attacking chances, with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez showing why they are a force to be reckoned with as they both took their shots on goal. For the Toon Mathieu Debuchy had the first chance, but defenders Mapou Yanga Mbiwa and Mike Williamson appeared to struggle at first to keep a lid on Suarez and Sturridge.

As Sturridge suffered problems with the notion of passing the ball over shooting at the net Newcastle took advantage of the Merseyside club's weakness and Yohan Cabaye went on to score a beautiful goal in the 23rd minute after taking the ball from the halfway line to within 25 yards of his goal and shooting straight past Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool quickly regrouped with Mamadou Sakho having a chance to equalise the score almost immediately, while Cabaye had another chance against a Reds defensive line-up that once again gave the midfielder too much space going forward.

As the first half came to the final minutes drama ensued with Yanga-Mbiwa receiving a red card for grabbing Luis Suarez's shoulder while the striker went through on goal. Despite protests that the Uruguayan was offside the defender was sent off and Steven Gerrard was successful in the following penalty to even the score.

Gerrard was handed a yellow card for grabbing Cabaye just before the half time whistle and with Newcastle facing another 45 minutes with only 10 men the Reds would be in a favourable position coming into the second half.

But it was Alan Pardew's men who were bursting out of the tunnel on a mission, with Paul Dummett scoring within minutes to give the side a 2-1 advantage. The defender scored off Cabaye's free kick to give Newcastle an unlikely lead and make the unthinkable possible. But the lead wouldn't last long with Sturridge finally finding the target and taking the scoreline to 2-2 with a diving header thanks to a brilliant link-up with Suarez.

The goal sealed a period of domination for Liverpool but the side couldn't capitalise, ending in a 2-2 draw despite substitute Luis Alberto going all guns blazing in the dying seconds of the game. Brendan Rodgers will have been particularly disappointed that his side couldn't capitalise on Newcastle's red card while the Toon will thank their lucky stars they took a point from the match.

Reaction

Steven gerrard on scoring his 100th goal for the club:

"Everyone has been speaking about it for a while. I would have liked to have got it from open play but I will settle for a penalty.

"I remember my first one against Sheffield Wednesday (in 1999) when I went past Des Walker and slotted it away. Your career goes so quick that you have got to cherish every moment."

Fans of Newcastle and Liverpool react on Twitter:

Stats

Steven Gerrard scored his 100th league goal of his career with the penalty against Newcastle today.

There has never been a 0-0 scoreline between Newcastle and Liverpool.

13 Newcastle's last 14 goals have been scored by a Frenchman after Cabaye put the side 1-0 up in the 23rd minute.

Only one fixture in Premier League history (Arsenal and Tottenham 125 goals) had seen more goals than Newcastle and Liverpool games before today. Now it has overtaking the north London derby (126).

Liverpool have won 10 of their last 15 matches against Newcastle.

Where to watch highlights

You can see the highlights of the Newcastle and Liverpool match-up on Match of the Day on BBC Sport, screening at 22:25 BST on BBC One and then later on BBC iPlayer.