Goals from Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and an own goal from Phil Jones did the damage as Newcastle recorded their first win over the Red Devils since 2001.
Howls of derision could be seen from some fans when the team news was announced. It seemed that some were unhappy over the inclusion of Shola Ameobi at the expense of Hatem Ben Arfa, with one fan going as far as saying that he wasn’t watching the game due to the team selection. I hope he stuck to his word as he’ll have missed one of the only times we’ve outplayed Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in recent years.
Newcastle started brightly and created the first opening from a Ryan Taylor cross although Demba Ba missed the ball completely. Yohan Cabaye was next to have a pop after some neat interplay on the edge on the Manchester United penalty area although his shot was saved by Anders Lindegaard. The bright start had St James’ Park rocking and the fans reacted to the way that the team had started the match.
Inevitably Manchester United came back into the match and could have taken the lead. Nani’s shot was very nearly spilled into the path of Wayne Rooney by Tim Krul but the Dutchman managed to rescue the situation. In form Dimitar Berbatov hit the woodwork on 15 minutes when his deflected header rebounded off the post and out for a corner.
Howard Webb tried his best to annoy the home fans by, rather predictably, giving a string of decisions in favour of the away side. I’d like to say that it was a surprise, but most people predicted it. Funny eh? Included in that string of decisions was the refusal to award Newcastle a penalty on 25 minutes after Rio Ferdinand upended Demba Ba. I’ve seen the replays and every one of them makes it look like a penalty, however Webb wasn’t convinced and he waved away the claims.
Ba was to get his own back just six minutes later courtesy of a bit of the much criticised ‘long ball’ that some fans seem to detest. Tim Krul’s long punt upfield was nodded on by Shola Ameobi into the path of Demba Ba who hooked the ball into the side netting from 12 yards out. It was a magnificent finish that gave Newcastle United the half-time lead.
Half-time: Newcastle 1-0 Manchester United
I was poised for Manchester United to come out all guns blazing in the second half having had a good blast of the hairdryer treatment from Sir Alex Ferguson at half-time. It wasn’t to be though and instead Newcastle extended the lead just two minutes into the second period.
Demba Ba dropped deep and ran at the Manchester United defence drawing Phil Jones into a tackle 25 yards from goal that he was always second favourite to win. Yohan Cabaye lined up the free kick and sent an inch perfect shot past Lindegaard and over the goal line courtesy of the crossbar. Whilst the net didn’t end up bulging, the ball was clearly over the line and the goal was rightly awarded.
Manchester United then threatened to pull a goal back and went close to doing so through Wayne Rooney who saw his prod at goal spectacularly saved in the line by Danny Simpson. However aside from that the red United rarely threatened and Newcastle remained the better team despite sitting back a bit more and operating more defensively.
It got better in stoppage time. One of those much maligned long balls confused Phil Jones who somehow managed to knee the ball past his own ‘keeper and into the Gallowgate net to cap a rather fantastic night that was, unfortunately, missed by some as mentioned earlier.
Full-time: Newcastle 3-0 Manchester United
It’s hard to describe the feelings after this game. Obviously elation is the primary one as I never seen this result coming. In fact I don’t think many people saw that coming. Perhaps some thought we may sneak a win, but to do it so comfortably was beyond my expectations.
There was an awful lot of excellent performances out there in black and white shirts. Davide Santon showed why he was so highly rated as a youngster (well he’s only 21 now, but you know what I mean) and Mike Williamson combined with Fabricio Coloccini to make a solid partnership at the back. Not back for a “Championship standard” defender.
Moving up and we have Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote who both played extremely well. Cabaye showed the class that I was raving about in the summer and Tiote seemed to be returning to his best form after his injury lay off. The pair of them didn’t let Manchester United settle and the goal from Cabaye was sublime. Inch perfect in fact.
Moving up again, and Demba Ba was just Demba Ba. He bossed and bullied Rio Ferdinand all night and never gave the Manchester United defence an inch. I just hope he checks his pockets before he heads off to Africa. If Rio disappears for a few weeks we know he’s still in there!
Most importantly it was the team ethic tonight that brought us through. They all worked for one another tonight and there was a determination that I failed to see in the Liverpool match which was nice to see once more. We also played some decent stuff at times and I credit Alan Pardew for getting his tactics spot on. He exploited the weaknesses of Manchester United and it paid off.
Next up we have an FA Cup game against Blackburn at the weekend. It’s another home game which gives us a chance to get another win under our belts and gain a little bit more confidence, if the lads need it after the win last night. Victories like this don’t come along too often so it’s important that we enjoy it while we can.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Shola Ameobi, Demba Ba
Subs: Steve Harper, James Perch, Haris Vuckic, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Leon Best
Manchester United: Anders Lindegaard; Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (c); Nani, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung; Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney
Subs: David De Gea, Rafael Da Silva, Jess Lingard, Anderson, Paul Pogba, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez
Attendance: 52,299
…….still buzzin now, what a result, superb effort from the lads all round!!!!! 😆 😆 😎 😎
geordieqatar(Quote)
As you pointed out, and there was more on the other blogs, people were slating Pardew and his team selection before hand but wow, couldn’t have got it any more right. You couldn’t get a more visible example of how his tactics and team selection won the game for us.
I Love Mike(Quote)
An excellent result and a superb performance.
On the subject of Ben Arfa – I think its likely that Pardew is just making sure he doesnt get injured before Ba heads off.
I would expect Ben Arfa to get his chance during January, otherwise it could be toys out the pram time for the little tadpole
Archie Brand(Quote)
Good tactics by pards great team wrk , ba colo cabaye outstanding , no one played bad , what a night getin. 😉
keith(Quote)
Amazing result but do you think pardew has punished ben arfa last night? – I think we used the whole bench except for him. I wonder if the comments made before the game were to blame?
Arfa should have started or at least on after 60 minutes. Last thing we want is arfa leaving in the summer because he isnt playing!!!!
ameobicantshoot(Quote)
Archie – Bingo. I’d be surprised if Ben Arfa doesn’t start at the weekend.
toonsy(Quote)
Does anybody else think that time off through injury and Stevie Taylors extended run has made a big difference to Williamsons game?
He may not be brilliant but he’s a **** sight better than he was last year.
Credit where its due, he’s performing well.
Archie Brand(Quote)
There’s the difference between setting the right formation over the wrong formation we sent out against Liverpool.
Ba looked a different player last night playing with a second striker, what a finish!!
Also, our rightside looked far better with Ryan Taylor out there and Simpson and Santon were very good.
A lots been discussed over the last few days about money being spent and new players coming in and that still needs to happen, but I’d honestly be as thrilled reading that we had tied Colo, Simpson and Guthrie to new deals as I would with any new signings.
Superb work last night boys. Thank you and good luck to Ba and Tiote.
Time to get your shooting boots on Best, Shola and Benny!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ameobicantshoot
Love the name!
Dont think Pardew would punish him for saying he wants to play and thinks he’s ready.
If we’d struggled he would have been on, just dont think Pardew wanted to risk him unnecessasrily.
Surely Pards has to use him over the mext few games
Archie Brand(Quote)
He’s quick he’s slick he’s got a massive —- Demba Ba
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Williamson, Best, Raylor, Guthrie etc may no be world bearers, but they are more than good squad players…
Still if we are to push for top 6 we need a striker and defender in…
JJ(Quote)
Isn’t it a case of horses for courses? Jones and Ferdinand – skilful but not the most physical – put Shola up with Ba. Against Samba on Saturday I doubt we’ll win much in the air – but how well will he cope with Benny gliding around him?
I’m just pleased that all the knockers who’d said we’re now showing our true form and the first 11 games was a fluke – well look at that performance. We are a decent team, not Champions League material but worth 6-10th place at least. Great all-round show!
Magpie6699(Quote)
Well I cant eat any more humble pie I’m stuffed – a bit like Man U in fact who played their best team and played well. Shame they weren’t as good as us though. Great night, fantastic atmosphere – Cabs free kick was one of those where everyone was just turning around looking at each other and laughing – perfect! Windy as owt on the way there and I thought the game would be ruined by the weather but no way. I doubted Alan Pardew would get his tactics right but he was spot on last night and knew their defence couldnt handle our big lads. I dont blame him for not putting HBA on it wasn’t his game, although I cant help thinking he would have helped murder them but just differently. He’ll get his chance soon enough though, and I think he will know he has to take it when he does.
Tsunki(Quote)
JJ..Atlas was a world bearer though 😉
richietoon(Quote)
you cannot beat waking up and in that morning fuzzy haze & instantly remember the result last night… smilely morning wake-up ..nice 😆
mark(Quote)
I dreamt we’d humped Man Utd last night, oh well back to reality 🙁 …. 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Mint game thoroughly deserved win…my only criticism would be Simpson’s positional play & his tendency to go to sleep (at times) but he made up for that with his goal line clearance!!
witters(Quote)
I have to mark Demba down… granted he had a decent performace but his celebration was in the wrong direction… surely mecca is in the east? 😆
nobby(Quote)
Mecca?….surely he’s kneeling to The Black Bull pub 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Lads,what’s your opinion of ryan taylor being right winger? 😕
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Sharpy I disagree mate Pards sent the right team out with the right tactics lastnight and won, because all the players gave 100% .
I also believe that he sent out the right team and the right tactics for Liverpool but we lost because 9 out of the 11 players never turned up and played ****. I said before its easy to blame Pards when it goes wrong and at Liverpool it went wrong, yeah Pards has to take some blame but the players imo have to take most of it.
Big Dave(Quote)
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/7411631/Newcastle-fail-with-Dijon-raid
anyone know this player?is he any good?
“At the end of the season, he would be allowed to leave – Newcastle’s offer was very high.”
i thought pardew said just defender for january transfer.
ron(Quote)
Witters I seen you and MM getting a bit of abuse lastnight 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I hope ben arfa gets a start for FA CUP 3rd round.Then Løvenkrands and best up front? 😕
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Ron…Transfer window talk from managers is all smoke and mirrors so I wouldn’t pay any attention to any quotes, we may get 3 or we may get none, it’s a case of wait and see for me, believe nowt from nobody ….and cheers for the motd link last night 😀
richietoon(Quote)
The result does cover up Webbs poor performance, what a joke of a referee who obviously bases his refereeing style from the film ” Kes”.
Regarding tactics, Pardew gets the best out of what he has got, i think we are a right sided midfielder, right full back and a striker away from being a tremendous side, special mention for Santone who i thought was outstanding, cool as a cucumber and a class act.
Robert(Quote)
What a performance! What a result! Thought everyone played well , was very impressed with Santon , he was very tidy last night. Think Simpson has made up for Liverpool with that block on the line 😆 Think we can all see the benefit in having Colo playing with a real centre half! Him and Williamson were as sold and some great touches fro Colo as well last night , he is immense. Thought perch done alright when he came on as well. Tiote = Monster. Cabaye oozes class. Jonas and Raylor put in a shift and done well. Shola was Shola , and Ba was leathal , destroyed Jones and Rio. Pardew got it spot on last night!
Johno Toon(Quote)
support us in the window with a striker and a defender now mr owner, because this club can challenge even higher than our current position, we are a good team at full strength we just need a little extra, brilliant performance last night , liked look of santon, colo is irreplacable NEVER SELL HIM, ba great and dominant, cabaye is fantastic middle of the park looks well drilled , brilliant lads keep it up!
jay(Quote)
Well I hope that result gives the players a big lift and it should because everyone played their part, yeah Santon looks like a real class act, and loves to get forward.
As for Raylor he didn’t pull up many trees but I personally felt safer with him there than Gabby but with time I hope I start to feel better with Gabby.
Big Dave(Quote)
I’ve got to say, the atmosphere was brilliant last night from the off and home and away fans having singing banter with each other was epic.
Fergie…. he turned you down.
Giving grief to giggs every time he took a corner – sublime. you can’t put a gagging order on 50000 geordies.
Match was fantastic. 2 very VERY small critisisms. Colo did one mis timed tackle and Raylor was caught ball watching on the edge of the area.
That’s up ther with the 5-1 drubbing of Sunderland for the best match I was at. 😈
nobby(Quote)
Dave @ 21 – Spot on mate. Some people seem to think that tactics are the be all and end all but even the best tactics can be outdone by poor performance and that is what cost us at Liverpool.
Ron – Got something coming up on that lad a bit later on 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Fantastic Performance last night from all the team, including the crowd. I can only watch on tv, and the crowd noise came over great. It was 12 against 12 with Webb reffin.
My only worry is, I hope fergie didnt see a Scholes that can tackle in our wheyaye Cabaye.
HWTL 🙂 🙂 🙂
B1GSTEVE(Quote)
Incredible performance!
The atmosphere at the ground was superb!
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Every1 closed down well and gave there all as well as pards getting it right , I don’t think willo has improved he just does the simple things well and let’s colo play the football .
keith(Quote)
I think a lot of people have been harsh on Williamson. He is no world beater, but he is a Premier League player. Definitely not the “championship standard” some claim he is though…
toonsy(Quote)
Have to say we can use this result and push on;
Next 5 fixtures;
Blackburn (H) FACUP
QPR (H) EPL
Fulham (A) EPL
Blackburn (A) EPL
A Villa (H) EPL
We could really push on from here despite losing Ba and tiote
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
HWTL!
I don’t mean to sound abusive but I’m still relishing the win. Best part is, the Mancs where I am won’t be able to reply to my giving them loads of stick until next season!
I missed the game last night, forgot bout it and I almost fell of my chair the next morning when ESPN flashed the results.
For the record, I was always behind Williamson and I dislike Perch from the bottom of my heart (nothing personal). Perch is the true ‘Championship player’, not Willo.
I’m going out celebrating again later.
Danger Dom(Quote)
Big Dave….yep I was the recipient of some uncalled for abuse & I think he understands my feelings on the matter! 😉
witters(Quote)
Williamson has always looked great with Colo. Thats why I can’t understand us being after a 5mill centerhalf.
The 3 we have + a backup would do me. Look at Man U, lost 1 defender(last nite) and looked terrible. I just think we’re about to lose Collo 🙁
Williamson is quite quick for a bigman and reads the ball well.
mark(Quote)
@witters
did u used to be mates with Worky? it seemed to get a bit nasty last night.
mark(Quote)
Great performance and result was just reward.
Must say I really didn’t know Ba was this good. He just looks so powerful, quick and he scores goals.
Come on Ashley give Pardew some cash to push on. The players, the management and the supporters have all done their bit, now it’s his turn.
Stuart79(Quote)
Totally agree – its no coincidence our back four has firmed up now we have at least two CB’s with line sense. Williamson was never a ‘championship’ player wherever that idea came from. Apart from the obvious epic goals, one of my moments of the night was when Colo was being pinned on the byline I feared the worst, had lads behind me shouting ‘Get rid of it!’ and what did he do? Cheeky little backheel off the players leg and out for a goal kick. Owned.
Tsunki(Quote)
Shut up Witters ya boorish pr!ck 😉 😆
Toonsy….agree about Willo, I remember when most comments didn’t want Saylor in ahead of Willow………then Willo had a couple of bad games and was suddenly a Championship player 🙄
richietoon(Quote)
@troy , it was indeed great to send them home tail between legs ha my fave chant of the night was from the gallowgate when giggs was taking a throwin “you only cheat on your brother ” he he
keith(Quote)
As I was in my pit last night I thought that we have the core of a top 6 team;
Krul,
Colo, Saylor, Santon,
Cabaye, Tiote,
Ba
Thats 7 quality players. Add in a decent RB, two wingers and a top striker to partner BA and we have a first team that could challenge even for champs league.
Then on the bench etc you have HBA, Obertan, Marveaux, Willo, Raylor, SImpson, Gosling, Guthrie, Vuckic, Ameobis, Abeid, Jonas, Best
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Santon was another level last night to the likes of simpson and raylor he will be some player
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Surely Ashley can see with a few addition (not massively expensive) this team could be a class act.
Obviously we can’t lose any tho.. I reckon we should have a whip-round to keep Collo 😀
mark(Quote)
Hope that wasnt Tiotes last game. He was amazing last night. His hunger is infectious.
I bet Fergy was drooling in his dreams last night thinking of Tiote, Ba and Cabaye 👿 : dirty old man! stay away!!
mark(Quote)
Witters thats the way he is, if he knows he is in the wrong he wont answer ye or talk about it because he is a coward, he just finds it easier deleting your comments and in my case banning me because I wouldn’t let him get away with lying.
Your comments were deleted then put back up about 20 mins later because he knew he was caught deleting comments again 😆
On Willo he is a good solid defender that does the basics well, but he isn’t as good in the air as Saylor, and tbh Saylor is one of my favs so I will always prefer him.
Big Dave(Quote)
At the risk of being taken out and shot, or even worse, have to disagree reference Williamson. He went through a patch last year when he seemed totally out of his depth. It must have been significant for us all to be signing the praises of Saylor when he came back.
Both him and Perch struggled, but he’s been impressive over the last few games.
Archie Brand(Quote)
Mark…no not mates but I was around when certain things went on & last night I thought that would be the best way to **** him off.
I still maintain he’s a sickly ****** & a c u n t and with the benefit hindsight the other stuff is probably none of my business & probably not my place to comment but it’s done now!! 😯
witters(Quote)
One question…. we get a striker… where does HBA fit in?
Don’t get me wrong, this lad has talent like i’ve never seen before… but genuinely, where do we play him?
One of the better time i’ve seen him play was at this seasons home spurs game partnered with ameobi.
Ameobi could do simple flick ons to him and then he could run riot, he would have done even better in that game had he not just come back from injury. 😕
I’m off topic though, I couldn’t even sleep properly last night, I kept dreaming of the result!!!!
nobby(Quote)
@witters
ok m8, I never go on .org. viewed it a few times but worky does seem to get mentioned in a bad light. but I’m not going to add fuel to the fire as I dont know him well enough. I just got the impression you’s were pals thats all.
I did snigger at the hands chopped off bit so he couldnt type.. 😆
mark(Quote)
Archie…true, but prior to the sticky patch he had been solid enough, then a few poor games and he suddenly became a “championship” player, the thing is would we be able to get a better cb with experience who would be happy…ish with being a squad player as Willo has been? unlikely in my opinion.
richietoon(Quote)
@nobby
Ive been saying this for a while. The bench or sold for my tbh. As good as he is…he doesnt fit in anywhere and won’t be happy on the bench.
mark(Quote)
Nobby… I’ll use Archie’s ” at the risk of being shot”, but with regards to HBA, if Pards rates him or thinks he’ll offer more to the team than other players then he’ll get a game, if Pardew doesn’t then he won’t and he’ll be gone and that’s football I’m afraid.
richietoon(Quote)
Mark…do you not post on .org under the name of WorkyT then? 😆
richietoon(Quote)
@mark…I liked that bit too!! 😆
@big dave…I won’t be going back but it’s no surprise he deleted the comment, very surprised he put them back up tho!
witters(Quote)
Barfa won’t get his game and should understand that if the team play as well as that.
You’ve got to show commitment on and off the pitch and it sounds like he’s working his ticket.
Tough.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
@richietoon 😆
mark(Quote)
Richie @14
Typo mate, as is this… duck off! 😉
JJ(Quote)
JJ 😀
richietoon(Quote)
Given 2 strikers and 2 wingers , Ben Arfa would be the perfect midfield attacking playmaker.
sidekick(Quote)
vert nice touch by pardew bringing demba of so he could get a standing ovation
batty(Quote)
Very much enjoyed being at the game last night, thought we were outstanding.
My heart sank when I seen the team line up with Shola up front with Ba and Raylor on the right side midfield.
It worked a treat though, even if the goals all came from route one football.
Raylor was caught out a couple of times and Shola apart from his flick ons was a lazy ****.
Santon is looking like a class act at LB. Felt sorry for Arfa not even getting 10 mins, Obertan and Perch a head of him 🙄
QPR will be interesting without Ba and Tiote!
EvilFranky(Quote)
I agree Batts, it was vert nice…
JJ(Quote)
Batty,
I also liked how Pardew put on Obertan to enjoy a few minutes on and victory against his old team mates.
JJ(Quote)
Richietoon
Hardly matters now, as he’s playing so well. Long may it continue
Archie Brand(Quote)
Batty
Personally I think he might have preferred to be out there when the final whistle went.
That would have been some feeling!
Archie Brand(Quote)
Archie…very true
richietoon(Quote)
Last night showed that when we have a solid core available (i.e Colo, Willo/Saylor with Tiote & Cabaye and Ba up front we can take anybody on.
I know big offers make it difficult to keep players, but I’d go as far as saying Tiote, Cabaye, Colo, Krul and Ba are all irreplaceable and to lose either of them would hugely effect us.
We need to get Colo and Guthrie signed up. Santon is going to be an excellent signing and it was nice to have somebody on the wing last night who could cross. Maybe he can make that position his own if Santon takes the LB slot?
Great result, but much more `promising for me was the performace. They actually controlled the game. Cannot remember the last time we did that to a top side.
I noticed how close the players looked too – Krul’s relationship with Colo and Simmo was there for all to see. Based on the unity they displayed and how they all appeared to be good friends who will fight for each other, I think Simmo should be signed up too. Maybe he is not the mst talented right back, but the bond he has with our keeper and defence wouldbe hard to replace. You cant overestimate how good it is for a team to have a bunch of good friends playing alongside each other. It can only be a good thing as they will fight to the bitter end and really care about each and every game.
Good to see Shola get a start and play well. All this Shola bashing is stupid. We have all seen the stats, he is good enough to be in the squad and being a local, experienced lad he is invaluable in terms of teaching the young lads and new boys about the privelage it is to play for for the Toon.
Shamrock(Quote)
iw as happy with obertan coming on when he did… his tremendous pace over tired legs meant they were closed down all over the park… which is obviously why pards put him on… good management! and well worked by gabby for the short time he was on.
If we go ahead at home we’re unstoppable. i worry when we go behind at home as the fans, rightly so, are frustrated and so the lads make mistakes.
Santon had a good game although one accasion he let nani in by being out of position… luckily colo was there to mop up!
I’m still dreaming off last night, totally buzzing. Was that our first test? 😉 😆
nobby(Quote)
Oh yeah – Going back to my original point. When our core is fit and available we can take anybody on, however the recent injuries showed how weak our squad is. If our bosses would just g and get us a bit of depth there is no question we could be pushing the top 6 hard this season and then who knows for next season?
It would not even cost much money, plenty of good free’s this summer. We need 1 or 2 this Jan, then snap up 2 or 3 of those free’s in the summer and we are laughing after clearing the likes of Smith, Ranger, Xisco, Loverman off the books…
* Lets just hope they dont use the signing on fee’s for Colo/Simmo & Guthrie as an excuse for not signing anybody else! 😆
Shamrock(Quote)
*occasion 🙄
nobby(Quote)
It’s a bit early to be thinking of this but i genuinely am already looking forward to next season.. IF… we hold onto our decent players, get rid of the dead weight… and get a couple of cheap Graham Carr specials in.
I’m not joking when I say this but we could even try a push for 4th spot… we prob end up 5th or 6th but just to be in the race gets my juices flowing (oo err) 🙂
nobby(Quote)