NEU » hris Wondolowski and converted a 55th-minute penalt

​Jamie Carragher believes Newcastle have recruited a top manager in Rafa Benitez but expects them to face a tough night against Leicester. The former Liverpool boss is preparing for his first game in charge - against the leaders on Monday Night Football - after taking over from the sacked Steve McClaren.Carragher, who played under Benitez for six years at Anfield, told Sky Sports News HQ that Newcastle have got a top boss at the helm, although he did admit the Spaniard faces a different challenge on Tyneside. It was a decision [Newcastle] had to make, said Carragher. They had to change something and as weve said before you cant get rid of your players. I think if some clubs could they would, because theyve got a lot of poor players in that squad, thats why theyre down there.In Rafa Benitez, they have one of the best managers out there who they could get. I dont think they could get anyone better with the CV he has, but he hasnt managed with that sort of level of player for a long time. Fantasy Six-a-Side Pick six players for the chance to win ￡10,000. Ten or 12 years hes been at the top, which is credit to him but youd have to go back to his early days in Spain when he was getting teams promoted and relegated. So I think it will be slightly different for him. Jamie Carragher played under Rafa Benitez during their time together at Liverpool Newcastle have conceded 53 goals so far this season, the fourth most of any team in the Premier League, but Carragher has backed Benitez to sort out their struggling defence.Hell be very organised, youll see that between now and the end of the season, added Carragher. You may not see it tomorrow night [against Leicester] as hes only had a couple days training but as the weeks go on I think youll see a lot more defensive organisation from Newcastle. I think theyll be a lot more difficult to beat. Benitez replaced Steve McClaren at St James Park The quality of player they have there they shouldnt be fighting relegation or be second bottom of the league. Theyre certainly not a top eight team, which was a requirement of Steve McClaren - there was no chance of that.But theyve got better quality than where they should be and Benitez will be hoping to bring that out in the next 10 games.While Carragher believes Newcastle have enough to stay up under Benitez, he also thinks Sunderland could edge the battle for survival due to boss Sam Allardyces experience in a relegation scrap. Keith Downie gets reaction from fans as Rafa Benitez takes over at Newcastle I think theyve got enough to stay up but it looks like a straight shootout between Sunderland with Sam Allardyce and Norwich, who have just gone above them.Id favour Sunderland just because Allardyce has more experience at that end of the table and dealing with that level of player, Carragher added.Leicester thumped Newcastle 3-0 at St James Park in November, and Carragher believes Benitezs side have a tough trip ahead of them on Monday Night Football. The Sunday Supplement panel discuss the appointment of Benitez It will be very difficult. [Leicester] have only lost three games this season and whoever theyve come up against theyve had answers, he said.The plan has got to be to stop Leicesters counter-attack. Its what theyve been famous for this season with the pace of [Riyad] Mahrez and [Jamie] Vardy. So youd expect Newcastle to play deep and counter themselves.Benitez will be aware of what theyre about, hell be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and it will be whether they can carry out his plan. Get a Sky Sports Day Pass Dont miss Leicester v Newcastle. Watch live on NOW TV for ￡6.99. No contract Also See: Let Benitez be the manager Benitez thinking long-term Benitez calls for unity Get a free ￡10 bet China Jerseys Fake . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. China Jerseys For Cheap . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. http://www.chinajerseyspaypal.com/ . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. 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Darlington Nagbe scored for the Timbers in the 83rd minute, but Portland couldnt find an equalizer even after San Jose midfielder Marvin Chavez was given two yellow cards and was ejected in the 86th minute. San Jose (7-9-6) won its second straight match to move past Seattle and into seventh place in the Western Conference. The Timbers (8-3-10) lost for the second time in four games since their 15-match winless streak ended earlier thiis month.dddddddddddd Salinas earned the penalty kick -- the fourth called against Portland this season -- when his counterattack ended in a collision with Timbers centre back Andrew Jean-Baptiste. San Joses penalty kicks are usually taken by Wondolowski, but he is playing with the U.S. Gold Cup squad. Bernardez, known primarily for his booming free kicks, used a bit more finesse to beat Portland goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who came in with the leagues second-best goals-against average at 0.84. Bernardez went low to Ricketts right as the Jamaican international went in the opposite direction. Nagbe was freed by a well-placed back heel pass from Frederic Piquionne and slotted home from 14 yards. That goal could have been the equalizer if Piquionnes 66th-minute volley from just outside the box hadnt caromed off Bernardez, over goalkeeper Jon Busch and off the crossbar. ' ' '