Five-star Magpies smash sorry West Ham.

Leon Best.
Leon Best the hat-trick hero.
Newcastle ran riot at St James’ Park last night as they thumped a poor West Ham side 5-0 to ease a bit of pressure and put some distance between themselves and the relegation places.

In a surprise twist it was Leon Best who stole the show with a well taken hat-trick on his full Premier League debut.

That’s not to say that other players didn’t play their part in last nights rout, and honourable mentions should go to Jose Enrique and Fabricio Coloccini who both played well on the night, aswell as Steve Harper who made some fantastic saves in the Newcastle goal. The key man for me though was Joey Barton who pulled all the strings throughout the game and was the architect of most of our attacking play.

The big team news before the match was the news that Shola Amoebi would be missing from the starting line-up after picking up an injury and that Leon Best would be replacing up front and not Nile Ranger as would probably have been widely expected.

The vistors had the first shot of the game through Scott Parker who tested Steve Harper from range. Jose Enrique had the first attempt for the hosts on 17 minutes when his cross-come-shot was palmed away over the bar by West Ham ‘keeper Robert Green.

It wasn’t long after that when Newcastle broke the deadlock. Peter Lovenkrands chipped the ball over the last West Ham defender to Leon Best who was clean through on goal and slotted home cooly past Robert Green.

It got better for Best and Newcastle on 39 minutes when Lovenkrands’ shot was parried by Green only for the ball to fall to Best who finished superbly through a crowded goal-line. It’s worth pointing out now that Joey Barton had a key role in setting up both goals.

Things got worse for West Ham on the stroke of half-time when Newcastle made it three. Jonas Gutierrez’s low cross into the box was subjected to a clearance from James Tomkins. Unfortunately for Tomkins, he spooned his clearance straight to Kevin Nolan who stroked the ball home from 18 yards.

The Hammers were rocking, and they were there for the taking. Newcastle played with a desire to win, which when coupled with West Ham’s poor showing could only ever result in one outcome. Avram Grant brought on Victor Obinna and Valon Behrami at half time in an attempt to try and get back in to the game whilst Newcastle withdrew Steven Taylor for Mike Williamson after he picked up a slight hamstring strain.

The West Ham substitutions worked for a while and they looked much improved. That was until the 60th minute when Leon Best grabbed his hat-trick after being put through thanks to a deft flick from Kevin Nolan. Best has been asking for a chance, and he got one, and took it with both hands. He has had his critics, but last night he went some way to silencing them.

Just three minutes later, Peter Lovenkrands made it 5-0 after he poked a probing Joey Barton ball from the right into the back of the net at the far post. It should have been 6-0 when Nile Ranger, on for Leon Best who recieved a standing ovation for his efforts, found himself unmarked six yards out from goal with the ball at his feet. The promising youngster somehow transpired to pass the ball well wide of the gaping West Ham goal.

Carlton Cole had a couple of decent chances to claw a consolation goal back for the away side, but Steve Harper was on hand to make sure that Newcastle kept their second clean sheet in consecutive games.

The win leaves Newcastle sitting in eigth place in the table having amassed 28 points so far. They had been in danger of getting dragged into the danger zone after defeats against Manchester City and Tottenham, but back-to-back victories against Wigan and now West Ham have ensured that there is daylight between them and the relegation strugglers, for the moment anyway.

The worrying part of the match last night was the amount of injuries that we picked up. Steven Taylor felt his hamstring so was withdrawn as a precaution whilst Leon Best was withdrawn to protect his ankle. Perhaps the most concerning injury though is to Cheik Tiote who had to leave the field and leave Newcastle with ten men for the final part of the game due to a hamstring strain.

With that in mind it is probably a good job that we head to Stevenage on Saturday for an FA Cup tie that will hopefully allow us to rest some of the more senior players and allow them to recuperate in time for the derby match at Sunderland in ten days time.

Newcastle: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton, Cheik Tiote, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Peter Lovenkrands, Leon Best.

Subs: Tim Krul, Shane Ferguson, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Danny Guthrie, Wayne Routledge, Nile Ranger.

West Ham: Rob Green, James Tomkins, Matthew Upson, Tal Ben-Haim, Danny Gabbidon, Freddy Sears, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Radoslav Kovac, Frederic Piquionne, Carlton Cole.

Subs: Ruud Boffin, Winston Reid, Valon Behrami, Jonathon Spector, Zavon Hines, Pablo Barrera, Victor Obinna.

Referee: Mike Dean.

Attendance: 42,387 (767 West Ham United fans).

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

94 thoughts on “Five-star Magpies smash sorry West Ham.

  1. I was anxious before the game. The last time I was anxious like that was before the derby game.

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  2. It was a great result, but I am not so sure about all the people waxing lyrical about Best now. He had a good game but that was his first 3 goals since he joined a year ago. He has done nothing up until now and as we know from Shola a good game doesnt make him a world beater. I would still be looking to get rid of him if a decent offer came in, thats not to say that he did well last night, as did all the lads. I am a little worried over Tiote’s fitness. Saylor we can cover but Tiote has been a man mountain and we need him against the Scum. We cant have Smith in there against Cattermole, although at least both sides will finish the game with 10 men!

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  3. was it just me or did shane ferguson look about 12 when he came on last night 🙂 it was great to be in the position to give him that great experience 🙂

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  4. when Barton plays well, we play well

    Our last 7 games or so are really tough, so I would like around 35 points on the board come March, just to give us the best chance od staying up.

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  5. Think I must be getting old as I feel bitter that I’ve got nothing to slag Pardew about. He got it completely right last night playing Best. If they are the only goals he ever scores for us then they could prove vital at the end of the season – hopefully not though.

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  6. cracking result last night got to say i feared another blackpool / stoke game but the lads pulled through. is leon best right footed though? he took his goals well nice to see he got his chance and from what pardew said he has been banging on the door saying he wants an opportunity that he hasnt yet had. takes some balls to do that so again well done 🙂

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  7. Raffo to be fair though, he has hardly played in the past year. Not saying he’s a world beater but let’s give the lad his due. He was called upon to step up to the mark and he did.

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  8. Agree ILM. Barton is really coming into his own. He has played some sublime stuff recently and is such a key player for us.

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  9. Not sure how people can still slate Best, he stepped up last night and did what was asked, with Carroll injured and Shola seemingly unable to play a run of 5 games without getting injured we need someone like Best who can play up front on his own at times.

    Think Ranger should go on loan to get some experience, he looked over anxious last night and needs to settle down a bit, he’s played quite well when he’s come on this season but seems to get in a bit of a panic when on goal

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  10. poor poor worky – you’ve cruelly abandoned him like a helpless little puppy in the freezing snow.

    remember a dog is for life – not just for xmas.

    and to think i’ve only just managed to get that haunting image of you standing over uncle ed with a – blood stained knife – out of my mind !

    shame on you – batty boy – shame on you.

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  11. roy cropper
    Posted January 6, 2011 at 9:56 AM
    poor poor worky – you’ve cruelly abandoned him like a helpless little puppy in the freezing snow.

    remember a dog is for life – not just for xmas.

    and to think i’ve only just managed to get that haunting image of you standing over uncle ed with a – blood stained knife – out of my mind !

    shame on you – batty boy – shame on you.<<<<< divent blame me for workys down fall stardust iam surprised worky hasent clicked on too who you are as you have been on for ages and he still hasent banned you stardy 🙂

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  12. Not guilty Batty – funny isn’t it!

    I like Roy, Moondust and KKforever – for they are a mystery!

    All mad as a box of frogs but all funny in their own rights!

    Would be good to log on here one morning and see another long list of Rodzillas off the wall threads – itd feel like home then!

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  13. WHO IS THIS STUPID PERCH ***** POLLUTING THE NET WITH THIS **** BLOG. IF ITS YOU TOONSY YOUR SAD MATE.

    POLLUTING OTHER PEOPLES BLOGS WHO HAVE EARNT A NAME FOR THEMSELVES. CHEAP FECKERS.

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  14. HWTLDIZZLE
    Posted January 6, 2011 at 10:12 AM
    WHO IS THIS STUPID PERCH ***** POLLUTING THE NET WITH THIS **** BLOG. IF ITS YOU TOONSY YOUR SAD MATE.

    POLLUTING OTHER PEOPLES BLOGS WHO HAVE EARNT A NAME FOR THEMSELVES. CHEAP FECKERS.<<<< oh you mean ed judases blog i can see it closing agen shortly ,then where will you go you peice of scum

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  15. I’ll still read every article on this blog everyday. and i think toonsy is the the man, as far as toon blogging goes. this guy whoever he is, is showing toonsy right up making him look desperate.

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  16. so its prolly you is it?

    ill read this blog and then just play with your dads batty, batty man.

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  17. I asked myself if he was a natural lefty, he took all his goals with his left foot. Hats off to The lads, Pardew and especially Best. He asked for his chance and took it. I was worried about the chance of a lackluster performance last night after Wigan but we showed an aggressive streak and quite literally hammered them. No pun intended. Well done to all involved, over the moon with the result!

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  18. pipe down you prat, i only came on here to say that this muppett is making toonsy look desperate for readers, when he will get a following anyway.

    calling me scum after my first post? you batty man faggott.

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  19. Some people are so bitter, the moose on talksport has just been putting on Twitter that the blaydon races and local hero are ****, and that blowing bubbles is the best football anthem ever, talk about clutching at straws. 🙂

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  20. Nah Batty – I’m out fella won’t be back till around 7ish onwards I on my phone at the moment

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  21. HWTL – you actually came on here and made a veiled accusation it was Toonsy. Toonsys on nights so you owe him an apology

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  22. HWTLDIZZLE
    Posted January 6, 2011 at 10:27 AM
    pipe down you prat, i only came on here to say that this muppett is making toonsy look desperate for readers, when he will get a following anyway.<<< aye thats because he writes the storys and dusent copy and paste them like ed judas ,shame you will be banned in a bit 😆

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  23. I actually said if “it was him”.

    If he comes on here and is upset by my post I will gladly apologise. I have no problem with that and will actually mean it.

    after seeing that pecker “perch” desperatly posting every 2 minutes (it seemed) plugging this blog. it infuriated me, albeit eds blog (who i actually kind of like, i dont know what everyones issue is with him) its beggining to make both ed and toonsy look like fools.

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  24. When I used to help run a huge community forum, I
    would often find people with multiple accounts. The conversations they would have with themselves was unreal at times.

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  25. the only fools are you lot on ed judases for beleiving the tripe he copy and pastes so p:ss off as you will be banned lata lololol

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  26. @ batty, why will it be a shame.

    your the one who called me scum and made me kick off.

    besides, ever heard of deleting cookies. how the hell can i be banned from this site??? i havent joined.

    battyboy.

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  27. @ batty,

    i actually belive your the culprit.

    and by the look at your last response you are a sad little man.

    how the hell can i be banned? i havent joined to be banned?

    are you called batty because your a batty boy?

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  28. I don’t think it makes any look like fools HWTL, both Ed and Toonsy can not be held accountable for every post on their own and others blogs – Ed can delete Perch if they are out of order

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  29. batty, dont you get it, i havent joined for him to ban me. durrrr.

    grow up anyways. or ill ban your mum from the special treats i give her.

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  30. yes its me ,which ed judas knows if he bans me i will shut his blog doon 🙂 as we used too speak quite often through email ,so if his bog is that good what you doing on her so run along little man

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  31. @ startdust.

    sorry fella i have to disagree. but your entitled to your opinion.

    Ed cannot possibly keep up with little muppets like batty boy creating accounts and spamming his blog. imho he does look like a fool because someone is mugging him off by advsertising on his blog.

    As for toonsy I’m sure he wouldnt want people spamming other peoples blogs to get him volume here. if he did im sure he wouldnt want it being done in the manner that it is being done.

    either way.

    I’ll still read every post. and batty is still a batty man because of his dad.

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  32. To be fair HWTL there’s rarely any crossover so the adverts won’t really work anyway, understand you’re protective of Ed – he is the predecessor whose actions, time and effort have spawned many new NUFC blogs

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  33. @ batty I’m the little man? get off your **** and get a life, or at least get a . job your the scum.

    ok ban me, and see if i dont post again here. go take an IT course if you think my ip address will be banned and i wont be able to post from a certain ip again.

    @ Toonsy, i honestly never meant to create this argument, but coming across a little scally like batty, how can you not want to wrap a black bag around his head and end him after only joining the blog for five minutes?

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  34. @stardust,

    not really protecting ed, just a toon fan who got pissed off with how immature someone could be on these two blogs.

    maybe i shouldnt have entered the blog the way i did, but hey cant change the past.

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  35. the banter on here today is pure jokes.
    back to footballing matters though, who are we going to have in before the stevnage game?

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  36. but you came on here and called this blog **** ,halfwit ,dont start back tracking now ,and you go and take an it course ,cookies 😆 😆 😆 thicko

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  37. @ batty,

    indeed i did. and i’ve said i would apologise. if you think if im banned i will not be able to post here again you truly are one thick c@nt as you called it.

    @ Rambo, apologies for this waste of fresh air batty boi.

    I personally dont belive we will move for anyone before the stevenage game. cashley will be sitting on his wallet at least a week or two after signing wor benny.

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  38. “maybe i shouldnt have entered the blog the way i did, but hey cant change the past”

    Hindsight is a wonderful thing 😉

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  39. as you like it ,and seem worried aboot getting banned i think toonsy might let you stay with an apolligey 😉

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  40. Rambo

    David Bentley before the derby and i reckon we’ll have someone else before the end of the window, Kranjcar would be a good signing who can play all across the midfield and possibly allow Smith to join dirty Leeds again…

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  41. i do think this season we will continue too have these up and down results ,ive got a bet on 11th too 14th at 4s

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  42. @ dizzle – i actually quite enjoyed it and had a chuckle sounds as though you got out of bed the wrong side though. whats up did your mummy wake you up too early. surely your some angry teenager who thinks he knows a bit about computers and is venting his anger at a lack of tissue paper on this mornings bloggers

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  43. @ CC – aye i think them two would be great. bentley a bit temperamental but at less than 5 mill worth a punt! and 2 mill for krancjar he is creative can play anywhere, my only doubt about him is he will want to play every game and when benny is fit we wont be able to offer that.

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  44. I’ve got a 5 pint bet on with Troy for above 14th Batty – thought it was doomed when Chris went but at times we have been great this year.

    Stand outs for me – Collo, Jose, Nolan, Barton, Carroll

    Nolan is as clinical (but different) as Shearer when he has a chance in the box – so composed. Young Nile needs to spend some time with him

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  45. @ batty. ten minutes ago i hated you. but strangley feel forgiving.

    in no way am i scared of being banned, if he wants to ban me he can, if he wants an apologie he can have one whatever the outcome.

    anyways apologies to all the blog. hindsighterini.

    guys why are people beliving what the rags say about us signing the spuds cast off ie bentley he is better than routledge and i’d welcome it. no offence there cc mate.

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  46. i would say barton carroll n tiote stand out for me. carroll n tiote for 1st full season and way way overachieving in prem and barton coz he has been class.

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  47. Don’t want Bentley, he has been very poor at Spuds and has a poor attitude. I would personally prefer Kranjcar to Bentley.

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  48. Oops of course Tiote – might as well have named the whole team lol.

    HWTL

    No thanks for Bentley for me unless he is free – he is a backwards step characterwise and not good enough for spurs so he is not good enough for us

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  49. I think the obvious names are stand outs, Barton, Carroll, Tiote, Enrique, Nolan, Coloccini and i would say Simpson as well because he has been superb since coming back from his injury.

    Throw in Ben Arfa, Gosling, Krul, Forster, Ranger, Kadar, Taylor, Williamson, Vukcic, Ferguson, Tavernier and a couple of quality signings and we have the makings of a fine side with youth on its side in the majority.

    Nee wonder the southern rags are desperate to get Carroll away…

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  50. Now then TGS! Happy New Year!

    BTW W is full of bull, he was/ is in meltdown, crying like a wifebeater when he was caught out and blaming the world – you know me I like to own up to my wind ups!

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