Spidermag returns! Newcastle United 2, Blackburn Rovers 1
Posted on January 7th, 2012 | 25 Comments |
We knew that Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote wouldn’t feature in this game, but when Blackburn lined up without Yakubu and Samba – that was a bit of a bonus. Also missing was Paul Clement, the now ex-Blackburn Assistant Manager who clearly decided he’d had enough of the abuse from the Blackburn fans and joined Paris St Germain last week. Finally, there were the 20,000 or so United fans who didn’t turn up, for whatever reason.
Newcastle actually made four changes to the side that started against Manchester United in that glorious win (just wanted to mention it one more time!). Two were enforced of course, with some of our stars off to light up the African Cup of Nations. Abeid, Obertan, Ben Arfa and Best were brought into to the team with Shola Ameobi and Ryan Taylor returning to the bench.
First Half
As usual, the Magpies started the game brightly and were almost ahead within two minutes. Leon Best took advantage of a Grant Hanley slip but his effort was saved by Mark Bunn.
United were well on top with Blackburn packing the midfield, and minutes later Jonas Gutierrez saw a raking drive from distance again parried away by the Bunn, who was certainly being kept busy. It was constant pressure from us and Yohan Cabaye was the next to miss a golden opportunity. Put through by Ben Arfa he managed to put it over the bar from inside the area.
Blackburn’s first attack of the game finally came after 20 minutes – Rochina breaking down the left before his shot was saved by Tim Krul. On 30 minutes, Jonas curled one inches wide after Best had broken down the right. Then, totally against the run of play, Blackburn took the lead on 35 minutes when David Goodwillie scrambled the ball home from close range after Krul made a weak parry. Have to say my prediction that we’re going to win the cup was starting to look a bit, y’know… Newcastle United 0 Blackburn Rovers 1
Second Half
United again dominated the early stages of the second half, but without actually creating clear cut chances. It was sad to hear some United fans cheering when Obertan was substituted after 55 minutes, with Shola taking his place. Minutes later, Simpson went off to be replaced by Ryan Taylor. A very significant move here was Hatem Ben Arfa finally moving out to a wing position again when Shola came on.
After 62 minutes, a definite chance did come when Blackburn gave the ball away to Shola but, with just Bunn to beat, he blazed wildly over the bar. Don’t think Ba would have missed that one!
Simon Vukcevic had a couple of shots for Blackburn but apart from that, United were still exerting the lion’s share of the pressure without actually setting up clear chances. On 68 minutes, Best headed across goal, and Ameobi’s did well with a close range header which Nzonzi managed to block.
And United weren’t finished yet. Collocini headed one over the bar from a corner, Mike Williamson headed against the bar, Bunn kept Williamson’s close range header out from Cabaye’s volley and then blocked Gutierrez’s shot.
Just when it looked as if Blackburn would hold out for a replay, Best slipped Gutierrez through in the 5th minute of stoppage time, and he chipped the ball over Bunn. There were literally only a few seconds of the game left and this had to be the winner. As if this wasn’t enough, we also saw the return of “Spidermag” as the exultant Gutierrez whipped it oot for the lads again as this was the FA Cup and he wasn’t banned (see photo) like he is in the Premiership Howay Spidermag! Howay the lads!
Final score: Newcastle United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1
Conclusion
It was scarcely more than United deserved. Whilst we didn’t reach the heights of Wednesday night’s glorious win (there I mentioned it again!), it has to be said that, but for Blackburn keeper Mark Bunn and the woodwork, this could have been a much more convincing win.
So, United go into the draw tomorrow for the next round. Blackburn can now concentrate on keeping themselves in the Premier League without the distraction of the FA Cup.
Plusses for United? Well, we proved we can play and score goals without our two African stars. Ben Arfa could well provide the goals that will mean we don’t miss Demba Ba as much as we might have thought, but he has accept the team’s work ethic and improve his play off the ball.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Krul; Simpson (R Taylor 59), Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Obertan (Shola Ameobi 56), Abeid (Gosling 87), Cabaye, Jonas; Ben Arfa; Best.
Subs not used: Elliot, Perch, Gosling, Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi.
Goals: Ben Arfa 70, Jonas 90+4
Blackburn Rovers (4-5-1): Bunn; Henley, Hanley, Petrovic, Givet; Vukcevic, Rochina (Formica 56), N’Zonzi, Gamst-Pedersen, Olsson (Lowe 75); Goodwillie (Slew 82).
Subs not used: Kean, Morris, Yakubu, Blackman, Slew.
Goals: Goodwillie 35.
NUFCBlog Author: UTD111
UTD111 has written 59 articles on this blog.
Another cracker UTD111!
I telt that Pardew divvy that Ben Arfa was a winga! :-)