Double Trouble for Cursed Cloggies! Blackburn Rovers 0 – Newcastle United 2
Posted on February 2nd, 2012 | 54 Comments |
First Half
The game kicked off with empty seats all over the ground – it was like a blue “Stadium of Light”. The crowd was given as 20,817. The first bit of excitement came after five minutes when Ameobi was put through by Best but strangely, didn’t have the pace to take advantage of the opportunity. A couple of minutes after that, Ryan Taylor put a great ball through for Ameobi who failed to trap it as it bounced past him unchallenged but luckily for him he was adjudged to be offside.
Things got much better a few minutes later however when United took the lead. Following good passing around the box a shot from Ryan Taylor, which was actually going wide, deflected off Scott Dann and into the net with the keeper going the other way. Blackburn Rovers 0 Newcastle United 1
There was a bit of a scare after 20 minutes when Blackburn won a dubious corner with two players clearly offside, then a Petrovic shot from outside the area was a bit close for comfort. Blackburn were starting to apply a bit of pressure now and a Pedersen free kick was again a bit close for comfort on 22 minutes. New signing Anthony Modeste in particular had little to be “modeste” about, as he was causing problems and United were giving the ball away too easily. Just before the half-hour mark, Modeste had another good chance which was blocked by Coloccini.
Then followed an unbelievable incident on 29 mins when Junior Hoilett fell down just outside the area with no-one touching him – clearly trying to get a penalty. Ryan Taylor was incensed and ran over and dragged him to his feet, causing a bit of a kerfuffle amongst a number of players from both sides. Dowd booked Taylor and gave a free kick to Blackburn in a very dangerous spot on the edge of the box, but thankfully the wall did it’s job and the ball was cleared.
The Magpies were under the cosh now with the defence not playing particularly well and the midfield spluttering. With five minutes to go to half time, Modeste once again had a great chance to fire into the net from outside the area with Tim Krul out of his goal in no mans land. Modeste somehow managed to put it well over the bar when it would have been easier to score. Perhaps he did have something to be modest about after all!
Newcastle United’s luck seemed to have run out when Simpson was cruelly adjudged to have fouled in the area when challenging for a high ball and Referee Dowd finally got his wish and awarded a penalty. Incredibly however, The flying Dutchman saved the penalty, and also saved the follow-up to keep United’s lead intact. The Mags behind the goal celebrated in style and we managed to get to half time still ahead, but personally I’m not sure how because to be honest we lacked organisation and there had been too many below-par personal performances. The half time stats reflected Blackburn’s dominance, with 50% of play having taken place in the Newcastle third of the pitch.
Second Half
The second half started with James Perch coming on for the fairly ineffective Hatem Ben Arfa – no doubt in an attempt to tighten things up defensively. United kicked off and immediately had a golden chance with Jonas miscueing from only yards out. United had certainly started this half better and looked more well organised. They were getting into the Blackburn third a lot more easily.
On 53 minutes Modeste was clear on the right, and Krul charged out of his area allowing Modeste to chip it over him but Simpson was there to clear. Two minutes later Jason Lowe received a yellow card for a foul on Guthrie. This was looking like a much better half from the Toon with even Ameobi looking like he might be interested. Taylor put a fine free kick into the area with Williamson running in unchallenged from the left but he was unable to reach it.
After 65 minutes Petrovic was withdrawn by Blackburn with Formica coming on. A minute later, Modeste got clean through again but hit it early and badly when he could have taken it forward first. Shortly after, Williamson was booked. Following the substitution, Blackburn were really starting to get back into it.
With 15 minutes to go, Nzonzi had a long shot but put it way over the bar. when Lovenkrands then came on for Best I was left wondering “why not for Shola”?? At least Best had been involved in the game. Blackburn responded by putting Rochina on for David Dunn. With 10 minutes left Fomica caused a nervous moment as he looked he’d scored but fortunately it was into the side netting, not the goal.
Blackburn were trying everything now as United tried to keep things calm and play the game out. Fomica ad Rochina were clearly making a difference for Blackburn as they forced two corners with three minutes to go. With a couple of minutes left, Pardew then made his final substitution, pulling off Ryan Taylor and putting on Obertan.
With only one minute of normal time to go, Coloccini slipped and there was that man Modeste again, but fortunately he failed to convert the chance as four minutes of extra time were announced.
However it wasn’t long after (one minute into extra time) that the Toon fans were going wild when Obertan was put clear half way through the Blackburn half and ran forward to coolly slot the ball to the Keeper’s left. Blackburn Rovers 0 Newcastle United 2. Get in!
In conclusion it wasn’t a pretty game. We certainly rode our luck in the first half including a penalty save. In the second though, we came out much better organised, showed a bit more steel with Perch alongside Guthrie in midfield, held our own and got a second goal. Well done lads!
Teams and Match Stats
Blackburn: Paul Robinson (G), Jason Lowe, Gael Givet, Scott Dann, Martin Olsson, Junior Hoilett, Radosav Petrovic (Formica 65), Steven N’Zonzi, David Dunn (Rochina 77), Morten Gamst-Pedersen, Anthony Modeste
Subs: Mark Bunn (G), Mauro Formica, Ruben Rochina, Grant Hanley, Adam Henley, Jordan Slew, Simon Vuckevic
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul (G), Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (C), Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa (Perch 46), Ryan Taylor (Obertan 88), Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez, Shola Ameobi, Leon Best (Lovenkrands 76).
Subs: Rob Elliot (G), Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Mehdi Abeid, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Peter Lovenkrands.
Goals: Scott Dann 12’ (O.G.), Gabriel Obertan (90+1).
Yellow Cards: R Taylor (29), Jason Lowe (55), Williamson (67).
Red Cards: None.
Possession: Blackburn Rovers 41.5%, Newcastle United 58.5%
Shots on Target: Blackburn Rovers 12, Newcastle United 5.
Shots on Target: Blackburn Rovers 11, Newcastle United 4.
Corners: Blackburn Rovers 14, Newcastle United 2.
Fouls: Blackburn Rovers 9, Newcastle United 17.
Match highlights and post match interviews
This really pains me to say this, but i agree with Pardrew! we looked really floppy in the first half, HBA was Shoking, doing his usual dribble the ball out!! However when he brought Perch on (Who normally wouldnt get a game for my sunday league team) sorted us out we looked firmer and we took a beaing and still took all 3! im chuffed for Obertan i hope he keeps it up now :)