Oops, we did it again! – Coventry 0 Newcastle 2
Posted on December 10th, 2009 | 74 Comments |
Would you credit it though? We were again outplayed for long periods of the game and yet we did the important thing which was to come away with a win. Despite being outplayed overall, Newcastle started well and with the confidence expected of the league leaders. Hughton also rang the changes from the previous game and with Nicky Butt coming in for Nolan, Pancrate in for Guthrie and Ameobi back from a long lay-off, there were three players buzzing to impress. Andy Carroll didn’t get involved at all.
This was another match for which Radio Newcastle were my eyes on the game, but with our defence looking shaky again to begin with, Jonas Gutiérrez gave us some respite against a Coventry side seeking a first win in ten league games. Fabrice Pancrate appeared to struggle against the pace of their other full back.
After seeing a penalty claim disregarded by the referee, minutes before the break, City were unlucky as top scorer Leon Best smashed a shot from 10 yards against the bar in the 38th minute, and when the ball came back in shortly after, Michael McIndoe also headed against the bar. Newcastle took the lead just before half-time when Enrique’s pass found Ameobi, who turned Leon Barnett smartly before smashing past Keiren Westwood with his swinger.
After the break, Coventry gave it a right good go and dominated play at times and it wasn’t long before Hughton changed his forwards midway through the half, introducing Marlon Harewood and Ranger. Even with the changes, Coventry had the better of the play and Eastwood should have done better but could only shoot into the grateful arms of Steve Harper.
With the game still in the balance at only 1-0, Nile Ranger popped up at the back post to sidefoot his first senior goal from another Enrique ball to extend the lead. Which duly sickened the dogged City fightback and sent the massed ranks of black and whites home happy, safe in the knowledge there is now seven points between us and second place and a healthy twelve points between us and third. On we march to Barnsley with 7,000 fans in tow, happier days indeed.
Us – Harper, Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique, Pancrate, Butt, Smith, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs – Krul, Kadar, Khizanishvili, Guthrie, R Taylor, Harewood, Ranger.
Coventry City – Westwood, van Aanholt, Clarke, Cranie, Barnett, Gunnarsson, Cork, McIndoe, Eastwood, Best, Morrison.
Subs – Ireland, McPake, Bell, Hussey, Madine, Grandison, Jeffers.
Att – 21,688 (with at least 4,000 Mags)
Can’t wait for Barnsley with 6,999 other toon fans like!