In fact I’m still trying to work out just how we took the three points after being dominated from pretty much start to finish by a Blackburn side who did pretty much everything aside from hitting the back of the net.
If it had been a boxing contest it would have been a very strange one. Technically it should have been over way before the 12th round, but Newcastle took a sustained beating only to land the knockout blow with seconds remaining to move up to 5th in the table leaving Blackburn floundering at the wrong end of the table.
Newcastle could have taken the lead on six minutes but Shola Ameobi delayed his effort just long enough for Scott Dann to get in the way to block. Just six minutes later though Newcastle did take the lead, and Dann was involved again. Sloppy play from Blackburn gifted Leon Best possession. He then squared the ball for Ryan Taylor 30-yards from goal who unleashed a shot only for the ball to deflect off Scott Dann and into the opposite corner of Paul Robinson’s net. 1-0.
Blackburn had chances to equalise and they could have done so straight away through Gael Givet who connected with Morten Gamst-Pedersen’s corner only to see his goalbound effort blocked on the line by Danny Simpson and his rebounded effort scuffed wide of Tim Krul’s goal.
Controversy followed soon after that as a host of Newcastle and Blackburn players ended up scuffling with each other, with only Ryan Taylor receiving a booking for his troubles. TV replays showed why the Scouse lad got into trouble as he dragged Junior Hoilett off the ground after the the Blackburn forward took a blatant dive to con the referee into giving a free kick. The FA should really look into things like that!
Fortunately nothing came of it, but Phil Dowd and his monobrow were becoming equally shifty and you got the sense they were waiting to give Blackburn a gift. That gift duly arrived when Anthony Modeste charged into Danny Simpson in the penalty box. Verdict: Penalty to Blackburn. Fortunately Tim Krul pulled off a wonderful save from David Dunn and thwarted the attempt from the rebound to boot!
The second half saw a tactical change from Alan Pardew. We were getting run ragged in the first half and couldn’t get out of our own half. The disappointing Hatem Ben Arfa was withdrawn for James Perch as Newcastle shifted back to a more conventional 4-4-2 and immediately looked more assured in the process.
Blackburn still created chances but they were unable to capitalise on any of them. Newcastle defended stoutly with Fabricio Coloccini showing just why he is such an important part of our defence. Even Shola Ameobi and Leon Best were doing their bit to help out in defence although the latter came close to putting through his own net.
As time started to run out Blackburn once again turned the screw and pushed for an equaliser exposing themselves at the back and leaving them vulnerable to the counter-attack. The introduction of Gabriel Obertan was designed to capitalise on Blackburn’s high defensive line, and I think it’s fair to say it worked a treat.
Gabriel Obertan received the ball in his own half and laid it square to Peter Lovenkrands. The Dane bided his time and waited until the moment was right to release the Frenchman who had continued his run beyond the last man. An inch perfect pass followed allowing Obertan a free run on goal where he despatched a cool finish with power and accuracy past Paul Robinson and into the back of the Blackburn net.
Game over!
The win takes us to 5th in the table ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, and with players like Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba to return, could we really looking at a late season charge for European qualification?
Howay the lads!
Blackburn: Paul Robinson, Jason Lowe, Gael Givet, Scott Dann, Martin Olsson, Junior Hoilett, Radosav Petrovic, Steven N’Zonzi, David Dunn, Morten Gamst-Pedersen, Anthony Modeste
Subs: Mark Bunn, Mauro Formica, Ruben Rochina, Grant Hanley, Adam Henley, Jordan Slew, Simon Vuckevic
Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, Ryan Taylor, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best, Shola Ameobi
Subs: Rob Elliot, James Perch, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling, Mehdi Abeid, Gabriel Obertan, Peter Lovenkrands
Attendance: 20,817
Fantastic 3 points against the odds, another beast slain as its over 20 odd years since we won there in the league, horrible cheating diving team and a referee oblivious to the goings on.
My heart was in my mouth when Hoilet dived, pen and Collocini off was his aim but thankfully Dowd didnt pull the trigger although he gave them a pathetic penalty.
Special mention to James Perch, thought he was the difference between 1 point and 3, excellent and didnt put a foot wrong, also what a strike by Obertan, will do his confidence the world of good.
Robert(Quote)
i read on another wedsite james tavernier was going? he has been class on loan but just found out the blog site was run by a dummy tavernier is gona be our new right back next season i recon.
stevo(Quote)
Having been very critical of young Mr Obertan in the past, may I start by congratulating him on a well taken finish. I sincerely hope that’s a big big confidence boost for the lad and he gets that he has 50 thousand people plus behind him and even if he only reaches 80% of his potential on a regular basis, then he will be a very good player for us.
Secondly, well done to the back 5 for a solid defensive performance and a very good penalty save by Krul.
5th in the league at the start of February?!
Superb work boys, and hopefully can only improve with Ba and Cisse waiting in the wings and Tiote to return.
Sharpy17(Quote)
good result last nite!
stevo(Quote)
Krul 6.5
(great penalty save but some very iffy moments)
Simpson 7.5
(Another Simpson off the line clearance)
Williamson 7
(solid, needs to watch the wrestling)
Coloccini 8.5
(apart from one slip he was flawless, outstanding)
Santon 6.5
Decent going forward, sometimes found himself out of position)
Jonas 6
(seems to be lost in this formation)
Guthrie 6
(absent in the first half, came more into it when Perch came on)
Raylor 6
(assisted in the first goal but he cannot play in the centre)
Ben Arfa 5
(just either trying too hard or he’s not a team player)
Ameobi 5
(said enough about him, raised his score for defending last 10mins)
Best 6
(does all the running up front Shola doesn’t, but still off)
Perch 7.5
(made the difference when he came on a shores things up)
Gabby 7
(very little time, but a cool finish, we look a better side when he plays)
Lovenkrans 7
(shows more effort and better at flick ons than Shola, great pass to Gabby)
Pardew 7
Didn’t start with the right team but his changes after half time where spot on.
Toon away fans 10
Sang loud and proud the whole night.
JJ(Quote)
i dont care how we won, so many times we play well and dont get the result we deserve so when one likethis slips in then thats all well and good. I said ages ago before the season even started that everyone was banging on about HBA and how great he was etc and to me this semed nuts as he had only played like two games for us. I dont think HBA will ever be the real deal for us, i see him very much like emre, you want him and you know he has it in him, but it seldom comes out. if we had to loose any of our high name brands i would vote for him to go. He only plays well in a fglair team, not a gritty one like we had out last night. He will i expect look much better with two good front men and cabaye and tiote behind him. that kinda puts him into the luxury bracket though doesnt it.
craig chisholm(Quote)
Didn’t see the match, for all intents and purposes we were quite lucky with the result, but we’ve gone a fair few matches with any so its about fecking time 😀
Newkie(Quote)
It’s easy to work out how we got the 3 points, you get no points in football for dominating possession, shots at goal or shots on target….you do however get 3 points if you score more than the opposition 😉
Blackburn got exactly what they deserved after Hoilett’s cheating 👿 , our best players this season have been Krul who saved the pen and Colo who was great last night along with Ba, Cabaye and tiote who were all missing, any team would miss those 3 and their performances would suffer. 3 points and up to 5th, luvly jubly
richietoon(Quote)
Great article, however i think for the amount of stick Perch gets he should have got a mention. He played very well 😉
Nathandio(Quote)
Stevo….This is the article i read on some of the youngster’s being released, no mention of Tavernier leaving…..although he is out of contract in June 😕
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/02/01/exclusive-ashley-to-invest-in-young-talent-72703-30240534/#.Tykg0pEXHlN.twitter
richietoon(Quote)
Abysmal first half and everyone must have been astonished how we were winning.
Brave decision by Pardew to swap Barfa For Perch but it did make a slight improvement.
Abysmal second half and everyone must have been astonished how we won the half and the game.
On a plus point,
Colo and Krul were immense!
Danny Simpson has got the art of clearing off the line down to perfection.
Obertan broke his duck and hopefully will feel
more confident.
Incredibly we move into 5th and the big guns are on their way back soon.
Well done Pards and the team.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
This match, for me, was the most nail biting – Man U away was a very close 2nd. You would of thought we’d won the league in my house when that 2nd goal went in…. GET IN GABBYYYYYYYY! 😈
If Perch keep playing like that he’ll well and truely put his doubters in his place.
Well done lads – a ground out, hair on back of neck, why I love football game.
Maybe Blackburn deserved something out of it but you’ve got to hit the target.
Can’t wait for our Lions to play on Sunday, feels ages since out last Home game.
HWTL!!!!!!!!!!!!
nobby(Quote)
@nathandio
I agree Perch had a decent game and it looks like that’s his best position.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Cr@p game but a great result for us and
Obertan.
Wonder where his critics are today?
Lesh(Quote)
I wish we start obertan i know he isnt sometimes amazing but the stick he gets is unreal when HBA had just as shocking a game but his is just an off day.
Obertan should take confidence from this and push on.
To be honest i dont care that we were rubbish we won and we needed that we all the players we had missing.
Worried for villa now though they have loads of pace, bent, abonglahor, n zog, albrighton, keane, ireland all good players too…..we need to be at top of our game
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I hope Ireland gets a bit of stick – what a waste of wages he was. 😆
nobby(Quote)
Could do with a few more results like that to get the lads confidence up and then the football should tidy up again.
Not sure we’ve seen the last of that 4-3-3 yet though. Seems to me like pards has cisse in line for that left hand side with ba through the middle. Rather he left it til the summer but that’s he’s prerogative and it could come off yet.
Happy for perch and gabby, well done lads
Dubtoon(Quote)
Liam – Correct. Benny can do no wrong and Obertan can do no right, despite the fact they’ve both had shockers at times.
toonsy(Quote)
Liam…look at the league table, let them worry about us 😉
richietoon(Quote)
Only 34k at the Mackem game.
I thought MON would have brought a few thousand back but it seems it’s done the opposite.
That’s a poor crowd for them. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Lads
If we beat Villa 6-0 (again) and Man U beat Chelsea 6-0 we’ll be in a Champions league poistion!!!!! 😆
nobby(Quote)
Lst – I’m worried a bit about villa’s pace too. Williamson could be exposed. Hope raylor doesn’t play full back. Charlie just got his first goal and Ireland is looking very good. Bent has started scoring and agbonlahor has pace to burn. Wouldn’t rule out given putting on a master class either though.
I see a good bit of them, my brothers a st holder, we really need to expose warnock at full back. He’s been shocking and his own goal last night won’t have helped. Hope he isnt dropped Hutton can be got at defensively too.
Dubtoon(Quote)
We won because we did what good teams have done for years, ground out a result even when not playing well. Who can say Manure have really played well this year but are joint top.
Obertoon should get a start at RW on sunday I think, and Perch should play CDM if Tiote isnt back. (When is he back BTW?)
Cant wait to see the Demba crew either but think Cisse will start on the bench
Raffo(Quote)
I think the role Gabby played last night is the right one for him at the moment, coming on late and using his speed against a tired defence. Even if he hadn’t scored he stops them pushing forward too much.
macca(Quote)
Can people stop commending Ameobi for any defensive work he put in yesterday, please? Merit marks for trying, but I can remember a few clear headers Blackburn had (and really should have scored!) because they peeled away from Shola’s ‘marking’.
In his current form, Shola Ameobi has no place on the bench, let alone in either penalty area.
blip(Quote)
Dubtoon thats why would play obertan – he can attack warnock no end
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Shola was shocking last night.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Toonsy @ 18 – I don’t agree, mostly people have been level headed with their appreciation for Benny and can see his obvious ability. They get frustrated when people slag him off for not playing well when in actual fact it’s more to do with the utter dross that surrounds the lad. He will never win in the eyes of a lot of people on here.
He has donkey Shola and Best playing in front of him at the moment (has he out scored both this season?), I suspect his contribution to the cause will look better once he has Ba and Cisse to play along side. If we play hoof ball he is isolated, if we play Best and Shola he has 2 static forwards to try to play balls to, if he plays a stray pass he is vindicated, if he tries to take on 2 or 3 players he is called greedy…even if he has no clear cut passing option.
We were utter ***** as a team last night but all anyone seems to be saying is HBA was ****. Shola was worse but no one is calling for his head.
EvilFranky(Quote)
LST – Exactly.
Troy when are you showing your ****?! And yes sholla has had his day #imho. Cisse will take his place on the bench as he gets used to the team and the EPL until he takes his place with Dembaaabaabaabaabaa as the first choice pairing.
Mind you it would be harsh on Raylor to drop him but thinking about the Villa team, we need pace. Would it be too much of a stretch to maybe use Raylor at LB and put Santooon at CB with Collo for his speed? A bit out there but a thought to try and combat that threat
Raffo(Quote)
Came across this mock up of the league table of the last two months:
http://twitpic.com/8eht9q
Ok the point is how well Martin O’N is doing but I still think it’s amazing that we’re still 6th in that period when it sometimes feels like the wheels fell off after the Chelsea game.
Harry Hampton(Quote)
Perch must start alongside Guthrie with both Demba’s upfront on sunday.
I would give HBA a chance on sunday as the two strikers are more mobile and dangerous.
Patience though is running out with HBA………..(possible debate toonsy 😉 )
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
@raffo
I’ve been showing my **** in fenwicks window since midnight on Tuesday. My source turned out to be Tommy Sauce. 😛
Unlike some, I am always prepared to put my hands up if I call it wrong. 😉
If you sit on the sidelines and don’t put your head above the parapet you will never call it wrong, or right. I would hate to be one of those Raffo. What’s it like? 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Harry – Thats actually really surprised me 😯
toonsy(Quote)
Hairy plums.
nobby(Quote)
TGS – Why is the patience running out for only HBA then? This is what I’m talking about. All season we have supported every **** player we have in the squad, massively so in the case of Obertan…which is only right because we are SUPPORTERS. Yet a hand full of first team games in which he has scored goals against the odds, changed games and gained us points, HBA is no longer worth bothering with? I don’t even think he has played in a full strength team has he?
EvilFranky(Quote)
Obertan’s boots in that picture are shocking. 😯
nobby(Quote)
@evilfranky
Everyone just accepts Shola is *****. It goes without saying. Regarding Barfa, be could have had Pele in his prime playing last night and he would have been ***** also. He looked off the pace still and tried too hard to create something by himself.
That said, TGS is right IMO. We still need to be patient with him. He’s got the talent but needs time to shape up.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Sorry, reread TGS comments about patience for Barfa. I now totally disagree. 😛
You are saying patience is running out. 😯
He should only be judged next season for me.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy – Exactly, if he doesn’t do much next season then it will be time to shift him on. But if we get Europe I think he could shine…
EvilFranky(Quote)
shine like twinkling stars?
nobby(Quote)
Troy,
HBA may not be hear next season 😉
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
*here 😳
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
shine
shine like a star
shining so bright
like the star that you are
nobby(Quote)
NOBBY,
Are you on the sauce mate 😆
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
We should all email the FA to retrospecively ban Hoilett for blatent diving, this is outright cheating especially given that there wasn’t even minimal contact – personally I feel there is no place at all for diving even more so when there is no contact whatsoever, surely this is bringing the game into disrepute
Obviously the useless FA won’t have the balls to try and stamp this sort of thing out
stevep(Quote)
Read this but haven’t checked it- interesting if true:
“If you take Toon’s remaining games and award the same points we got in corresponding games last season we’ll be on 62 pts which was enough for 5th place last year”
3hourswasted(Quote)
Jeez – fans on here are a fickle bunch, one minute HBA is the greatest player ever with Pards being slagged off for leaving him on benmch and the next we should be getting rid of him
Same for Obertan who I thought gave us an outlet with his speed ( as he has in other games )
Bizarre that some people continue to slag players/manager off when we’re sitting at least 5 places above where we thought we would be
Pathetic……………………….
stevep(Quote)
Shola was pretty awful; he’s just looking unfit this season, which is not great when you look slow as **** when you’re on your best form. 😆
I hate to admit it, but I think Loven did offer a lot more. Not sure he can do it from the start, though.
I also think EvilFranky’s got it the wrong way around. We know Best and Shola need a lot of chances to score a goal at the moment, and what Benny did was largely ignore them and try to beat the whole defence on his own again.
As someone has pointed out – Benny is wonderful, but only when you have players like Cabaye, Tiote and Ba who can operate effectively without him. Luxury player, yes – but one we do need against high-quality opposition.
Whumpie(Quote)
STEVEP,
I certainly have not slagged HBA off, i think it is fair to say that he is not a team player and his recent performances have been largely disappointing.
Pardew needs to find a position to accomodate him which will benefit himself and the team.
HBA also has a history of spitting his dummy out, how long will his patience last 😉
TonyGreenSupreme(Quote)
If Barfa is prepared to learn his trade on the wings then perhaps he’ll have time here, if he kicks up a fuss then show him the door, no great loss really. Obviously talented but I’m not sure where he fit it as St James.. perhaps halftime entertainment with his juggling skills.. 😆
Can’t wait for Sunday now, shame we havent any of our middlemen for Villa.
To be fair to Troyore, it wasnt his fault he trusted the 3 legends, Supermac could of had inside knowledge.. I did warn him tho they knew nowt but he didnt heed the telling 🙄 slapped botty in Fenwicks 😆
boing boing boing
mark(Quote)
Tony Green
I’m just still buzzing from our win last night – I thought we were going to crumble like at Fulham for sure.
The worlds just a better place to be when we win. 😆
Hope we can do another 6-0 this weekend like we did in this fixture last season… 18 months ago that y’know!!! eeeeee how time flys by.
nobby(Quote)
I am all for supporting players but Ameobi was shocking last night. So glad the double D’s will be here for Sunday.
Happy for Obertan. However I do feel a bit sorry for hba. He’s never been a right winger. Pards has said himself that he’s a number 10 or an attavking left sided player. Since he loves Gutuirez, dislikes hbas lack of appli ation and has two strong centre forwards I don’t see where hba fits in terms of a starting role.
We were plain battered last night. Not sure whether to smile and be grateful or ponder our lack of possession and composure. Loved the pen save and Colo being as cool as usual.
Can’t wait to see the action on Sun. Come on!
bkemp247(Quote)
Troy – I am always prepared to say what I think and go against others, I have gone against you many times.
Raffo(Quote)
Shades of the home loss to Fulham a few years ago last night. Winning despite our goal getting a peppering. So glad Yakubu wasn’t playing.
Susan Boyle(Quote)
Colo joins the dreamers bus! 😆
“It’s good to win in this way, and we know now that we can have dreams. ”
“Why not dream about playing in a European cup I think it is okay to dream – but only if we keep winning.”
mark(Quote)
Totally ***** performance but three points all the same.
Baring in mind we had Tiote, Ba, Cisse, Taylor, Cabaye and Marvauex missing it wasn’t a bad three points. 😉
Stuart79(Quote)
Anobgor coudl still be out this weekend – That can only be a good thing
http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2597416,00.html
nobby(Quote)
abonglahor*
nobby(Quote)
Well said SteveP @45. The FA are such an amoral bunch of bastards, they’ll come down like a ton of wet bricks for some name calling (Suarez), do Cabaye for something that at worst could break someone’s fingernail, but… trying to cheat in a way that could effect the outcome of a game and therefore lead to the wrong team being relegated? Fine. They’re fine with that. Just fine.
👿 👿 👿
This is why football carries no respect in sport. It doesn’t deserve any. Cos it’s run by crooks.
Ranty ranty.
Whumpie(Quote)
Yeah it wasn’t pretty but we got the 3 pts, and with Ba back we should get a big lift.
I can’t understand some of the stick Benny gets even during the game, from some of the same people that were going on about how the fans should get behind Oba.
Fans allready knew what Benny was capable off but until lastnight no one really knew what Oba was capable off.
I think its obvious that Benny wont look good in a weak team, even Messi would look poor in our time lately.
Yes Benny isnt a grafter but niether was Ginola or Robert but all 3 are and were capable of turning a game in a heartbeat, but the team has to be strong enough.
I just hope Oba’s goal is what he needs to kick on and make a name for himsel.
Big Dave(Quote)
“The FA are such an amoral bunch of bastards, they’ll come down like a ton of wet bricks for some name calling (Suarez),”
for some name calling? whumpie are you taking the ****????
doitforsirbobby(Quote)
Can everyone please complete this survey for my university work,
Its about technology in football
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZQKFN79
please pass on the link and get other to do it
cheers lads.
toonkid(Quote)