Matthias Jaissle makes Lukas Hornicek feelings clear after Newcastle United error
Lukas Hornicek joined Newcastle United from Braga for £26million in the summer.
Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle has refused to ‘point the finger’ at Lukas Hornicek for his mistake in Monday night's 1-0 defeat against Everton.
The Czech Republic international goalkeeper allowed Tyrique George's shot to squirm underneath him before Thierno Barry tapped the ball into an empty net to score the game's only goal.
Everton's goal came early in the second half, but the Magpies were unable to respond, waiting until the 85th minute to register their first shot on target. The defeat was Newcastle's fifth in seven matches in all competitions, with the team also suffering consecutive losses at St James' Park.
We have launched a new NUFC YouTube channel to bring the latest Newcastle United news and analysis. Click this link and subscribe to NUFC Press Box.
Matthias Jaissle backs Lukas Hornicek after error
Jaissle has called for “togetherness and unity” as his side navigate a difficult run of form, and extended that message to Hornicek following his costly mistake.
“He's OK, yes,” Jaissle said when asked how Hornicek was feeling after his mistake. “Mistakes can happen, and for sure he knows that on a good day, on a normal day, he will save that. But this is a football game where things like that can happen, so we don’t point fingers.
“This is even more a sign that we stick together and show that unity, so that in the next match we can do better and hopefully also get a better result.”
Meanwhile, captain Dan Burn has also come out in support of the 24-year-old goalkeeper this week.
“Lukas is top,” Burn said. “He's a very, very good keeper. Nothing really fazes him, but he commands his box well.
“He made some big saves that probably go unnoticed sometimes, so I'm not worried about Lukas at all. As I said, their one went under him a little bit today, but that's on us just as much as it is on him to help him.”
Hornicek replaced Nick Pope as the Magpies’ number one goalkeeper after joining from Braga for £26million in the summer. Only Leeds United’s James Trafford and Hull City’s Konstantinos Tzolakis have made more saves in the Premier League this season.