They often contain intriguing little mini-dramas, games like these. Spin-offs to the main show.
The headline action might have been happening out of shot but diverting eyes away from Andy Carroll was a challenge. Especially as his frustration grew at Newcastle’s aimlessness.
Every high ball was an event. A crumb for Andy Carroll, a castaway on an island with only two other occupants, Manchester City’s centre halves. A story of one man’s anguish, with nothing to savour.
All of his mates were 60 yards away and that felt like miles, Newcastle too occupied with plugging holes in their leaking boat to help the man carrying the club’s FA Cup hopes alone.