Gutierrez: Man of the match.The only team remaining that could do the double over Newcastle this season left St James’ Park with sore bottoms this afternoon as the Toon ran riot spanking Blackpool 4-1, and in reality the winning margin could and probably should have been far greater.
A total of 2,700 Blackpool fans crammed into the level 7 away end in the hope of seeing their team continue to charge towards the play-offs and end the only unbeaten home record in English football. It wasn’t to be and amongst much bragging and bravado from the Blackpool fans they deservedly head back to the West coast with their tails firmly between their legs. Much was made of the visitors fine run of form and the form of their captain, Charlie Adam, who many people believe warranted the Player of the Season award won by our very own Kevin Nolan. Those allegations proved unfounded as Charlie Adam appeared to spend the majority of the game in our own midfield’s pocket whilst him team showed just why they now look like thay will miss out on the play-off places. (more…)
The only way is up!Wherever you were tonight, it was a very special occasion if you were a Newcastle United supporter. Even before our 2-1 victory over Sheff Utd, when Nottingham Forest failed to beat Cardiff City at home, it meant we were guaranteed an automatic promotion place.
But when Sheff Utd took the lead through Richard Cresswell with a sloppy goal from a corner, it looked like they were intent on being party poopers. However, when Chris Morgan gave a ridiculous penalty away in front of the referee just before half-time, after drawing attention to himself and his man-handling, Peter Lovenkrands confidently dispatched the spot-kick to bring us level.
And despite some sloppy and frustrating play at times, it was perhaps fitting that Kevin Nolan should step up to put the icing on the promotion cake. After scoring some crucial goals this season, it was he who was in space to brilliantly convert a Lovenkrand’s flick on, and his overhead kick flew past Simonsen to make it 2-1 and send us all a bit mental. I’m sure there hasn’t been noise like that at St James’ for a long time. (more…)
Barton: Scored but flattered to decieve.A well used cliche it may well be, but today’s game at Peterborough was very much a game of two halves as Newcastle went in search of the win that could have seen them promoted whilst Peterborough fought their own corner in an attempt to avoid relegation.
Having found a spot to park next to the River Nene my attention turned to finding somewhere to enjoy a pre-match drink. I settled for the ‘Charters’, a converted Dutch barge moored on the riverside. The lure of the open air barbecue and beer festival was too tempting an opportunity to pass on. The bar was full of both sets of fans and everything was very well natured with regards to exchange of banter, our lot gave a rather vocal rendition of ‘Oh Coloccini’ with the Peterborough fans responding with….. well not a lot actually, but they took it in good humour. (more…)
'Pop'ular goalscorer!“Make it real” was the Coca-Cola slogan for 2005, and while that was arguably the year we began a slippery slide to Championship oblivion and the league that bears that famous brand name, tonight Newcastle United stepped three points and one game closer to making promotion back to the big time a reality. On a wet, windy but wonderful Monday evening, the 2-0 defeat of Nottingham Forest all but ends their hopes of overhauling us and barring a disaster all that should be left is a battle with West Brom for the title.
The Championship journey has been a humbling and perhaps necessary journey for some Mags but one season is just about enough, cheers all the same. While we’ve had some difficult games, none more so than tricky tests against the Tricky Trees, our lads have come through the test and are so close to a victorious 90 minutes which should culminate in a mathematically certain return to the top flight and a silent two fingers at those that wanted us to fail miserably. It would take a monumental 7-Up, if we were to fail to realise the dream of going back up at the first time of asking.
On a greasy surface and with the wind and rain driving across the pitch, Newcastle weathered both the elements and a determined Forest attack. Despite good possession for both sides though, neither side looked like breaking the deadlock and this Level 7’er is fairly certain he didn’t see a save from either keeper until after the hour. And when the deadlock was broken, to bring effervescence to both players and fans alike, who other than Shola ‘Offside’ Ameobi, returning from injury, would be more appropriate? With a neat turn, great control and a tidy finish to make it 1-0, proving yet again that if he can stay fit he offers us something our other strikers don’t. (more…)
Eye of the tiger?In an end-to-end encounter, it was Newcastle United’s very own light heavyweight, Andy Carroll, who weighed in with a devastating knockout to help United take all three points at the Keepmoat Stadium. After the much publicised training ground bust-up, it seemed unlikely that Carroll would play any part in the game, but Hughton was vindicated in his decision to include the striker by Carroll’s goal, which was the difference between the two sides.
Even though he included Carroll in his starting eleven, Hughton was forced into several other changes. Jose Enrique had a niggle from his previous hamstring injury and Ryan Taylor came in at right back, with Danny Simpson switching to left back. Tamas Kadar came in for Fitz Hall, who limped out of the Bristol City game and Hughton also opted for a 4-4-1-1 formation with Kevin Nolan playing off Andy Carroll, Leon Best making way for Nicky Butt, who partnered Guthrie in the middle of the park. (more…)
