Ryan Taylor wins himself legendary status! Sunderland v Newcastle report, highlights…
Posted on August 21st, 2011 | 21 Comments |
Match highlights.
On a rare sunny day in the dark underbelly of the North East, Newcastle had to negotiate an early derby game full of expectation amongst the deluded locals.
Such is the optimism after shelling out a fat wedge on a new bunch of fair to middling or overaged players. As was to be anticipated, the dark ones came out with an attitude to try and make amends for last seasons poor performances and results.
Unsurprisingly, they had the lion’s share of the early exchanges. Probably right up to the 15th minute when a Joey Barton header was blatantly ‘saved’ on the line by Larsson, who, incidently, isn’t a ‘keeper.
But at the same time they were certainly leaving their indelible mark on a number of Newcastle players with some awful challenges. So, by the time referee, Howard Webb and his partners in crime (against football) had allowed the Larsson ‘save’ and the numerous hacks, it was obvious that the ‘homer’ ref had lost cotrol of the game. Had the officials been ‘up with the play’ and spotted the hand-ball, surely our opponants would have been down to 10 players and it would have been a different game, somewhat like last weeks shenanigans v Arsenal.
It must be noted that Cabaye came close to the ‘red mist’ when he arrived late on Bardseley, receiving a yellow in the process. Not long after he had a good long range effort tipped over by Mingolet in their goal. It was nice to see the lad settling in, for it was he that floated in the corner that led to the Barton header that should have led to the Penalty.
To be fair to the rabble, their French recruit, Sessegnon, was their stand out player in the first half, drawing a couple of nice looking, yet pretty bread and butter saves from Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal, for his second straight game.
As the half time whistle drew closer, Gyan turned Captain Coloccini and whipped in a shot that skimmed the Toon bar, Krul beaten.
It must be said at this juncture that Tiote was having a ‘mare in the middle, Without doubt his wosrt half of football since his arrival at SJP. >Half Time 0 – 0.
After the break, it couldn’t get any tougher an encounter surely, could it?
Well, yes it could!
Newcastle came out with far more purpose, but this only created more opportunity for scything ‘tackles’.
Jonas was starting to get on the ball more and made a great mazy run, ending with a curling shot that their ‘keeper couldn’t hold, but alas, there was no one to follow up for the Toon. His next run, equally mazy, a minute later saw him cruelly and cynically upended on the corner of their box by thug, Cattermole. How he was still on the pitch was known only to Webb and his cohorts.
Up stepped Ryan Taylor, in the 63rd minute, playing in his first Tyne/Wear derby, on his birthday too. He carefully placed the ball, took aim and cracked it into the top right corner of the net, thus writing himself into Geordie folklore forever more. It was a choice free kick and after the number of wasted efforts last week, mostly by Joey Barton, it was great to see it fly into the net.
The traveling Toon Army went wild, egged on by Steven Taylor, who, seemingly, was trying to claim a touch too. :)
After the goal, we saw a return to the hack n’ slash tactics. Eventually Webb yellow carded Cattermole for another vile hack at Jonas. By now they were getting frustrated, cue a bunch of tactical substitutions. The game was starting to be broken down now and Newcastle kept their cool to try and see it out.
There was still time for Bardesley to attempt a ‘leg-breaker’ on Coloccini though and rightly see red. It was still amazing that it wasn’t a straight red, rather than an acumulation of yellows. Looking at the slow-mo replays it’s hard to believe that it didn’t result in a broken leg for our Captain. Let’s hope he’s all good for out next encounter.
The Lads then preceded to hold on, reasonably comfortably, for the win.
It was the correct result on balance, while they had slightly more possesion, the onus was on the home team. we carved out better chances and more importantly, put the ball in the net.
Full Time 0 – 1.
So, all in all, a great away derby win, with a clean sheet.
Our first 3 points in the bag, no losses, no goals against and 2 tough opening games (home and away) out of the way.
Altogether now…Let’s all laugh…
Roll on Scunthorpe in the Cup!
Howay the Lads!
Post match interviews.
Alan Pardew salutes Ryan Taylor’s “fantastic weapon”.
Steve Bruce: Ten new players, and none of ’em could score.
Quote of the day: “We’ve been beaten in a Derby game, again!” :lol:
NUFCBlog Author: CLiNT FLiCK
Cut me in half & it'll say Newcastle United F.C. just like a stick of Black 'n' White rock!
CLiNT FLiCK has written 42 articles on this blog.
Great match report Clint!