Ben Arfa takes the plaudits
In fact for that bulk of the match everything was finely poised, with the hosts even looking like conceding a goal, until Hatem Ben Arfa produced a moment of magic to tip the balance in favour of the home side.
We’ve now won five games on the spin at just the right time of the season. We now sit level on points with 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur and three points ahead of 6th placed Chelsea, who have a chance to knock us back down to 6th by virtue of goal difference this evening as long as they beat Fulham at Craven Cottage. Should that happen there will be three teams sitting on 59 points and aiming for a Champions League place.
I’d like to say that we won the match with style, but I’d be lying if I did. Instead the game was settled with two moments of real quality, which we’ve been conditioned to believe over the years is a sign of a good team.
Most of the action was reserved for the second half, with returning skipper Fabricio Coloccini proving to be the source of any attacking play of note during the first period – his ball which Demba Ba miscontrolled on the edge of the area was one highlight, with a shot from fully 30 yards being the other.
However the second half sprang to life after a flat and drab first 45 minutes, but it was Bolton who could, and probably should, have drew first blood in the contest of attrition. First there was Chris Eagles, who fired straight at Tim Krul from ten yards after working his way into the penalty area. Then there was Mark Davies, who completely missed his shot from six yards out allowing Tim Krul the time to readjust himself for Davies’ weak second attempt.
With 17 minutes of the game remaining the course of the game changed thanks to a moment of sheer inspiration, and another Goal of the Season contender from Hatem Ben Arfa. Receiving the ball in his own half, Ben Arfa flicked the ball round Mark Davies before spinning round the other way to collect his own flick on. He then charged into the Bolton half beating three defenders with ease before nonchalantly sliding the ball past the Bolton goalkeeper. It really was a magical moment that deserved to change any game.
However gloss was added to the victory ten minutes later when substitute Shola Ameobi – on for the disappointing and rather petulant Demba Ba sent an inch perfect cross which Papiss Cisse converted from six yards out. That’s ten goals in nine games for the new number nine.
From then on the game petered out. It was job done for Newcastle whilst Bolton will have been left feeling that they could have got something out of the game had they managed to convert some of their earlier chances.
Next up we have Stoke at home, but before that we have a 12 day rest. Judging by the flatness of the performance and general lethargy of some of our players today, it is a break that is needed and should ensure that our batteries are sufficiently charged for the final five games of the season.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon, Yohan Cabaye, James Perch, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba
Subs: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, James Tavernier, Ryan Taylor, Mehdi Abeid, Dan Gosling, Shola Ameobi
Bolton: Adam Bogdan, Gretar Steinsson, David Wheater, Tim Ream, Sam Ricketts, Chris Eagles, Mark Davies, Darren Pratley, Nigel Reo-Coker, Martin Petrov, Kevin Davies
Subs: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Mikel Alonso, Zat Knight, Ivan Klasnic, David Ngog, Marvin Sordell, Ryo Miyachi
Attendance: 52,264
NUFC Blog Man of the Match: Hatem Ben Arfa – Not just for his goal, but for his workrate and willingness to try and make something happen.
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163 Comments
i thought that here we go again another wolves game after great win at swansea,then benny stepped in,yes think players will welcome the break imo
Yay, had been waiting ages for this! COME ON FULHAM!!!
Let’s not forget that’s our third consecutive clean sheet too!
Great game in the end because of Ben Arfa’s magical goal, but it really was a poor odd 70 minutes indeed. Everyone looked tired and devoid of ideas, Demba Ba having a particularly poor game and justifying what I said the other day about appearing petulant. Really hope pards can sort him out.
Just to clear-I’m a massive fan of Demba Ba the player but like I said there’s no room for egos and I sincerely hope he isn’t going to start throwing his toys out the pram now just because he’s not the main man anymore, its a bloody team game. He’s looked annoyed in the last couple of the games and his performances seem to be getting worse, not better. If someone like Shola had had as poor a game as Demba had today there would be “fans” screaming for him to be shot, so I only feel its fair to evaluate him in this manner.
We got cut a little bit from the left and through the centre but regardless I thought Willo, Santon and Simmo all had very good games-Krul with some great saves and poor kicks as usual, Colo glad to be back in but we looked shaky without a defensive mid ahead of us.
The subs-fergie and Shola were great shouts, Fergie has bags of pace and was all over the pitch-showed us what a player who isn’t tired can do. Shola helped out loads, great strength and a cross for Cisse’s goal and can help see out a game. If we’re going to revert to 4-4-2 then he needs more time, because hoofing it to Cisse and Ba just doesn’t work, they aren’t those kind of players despite being tallish and strongish.
Does anyone know what the Clean Sheet table looks like?
onwards and upwards
and a special mention must go to the everton reserves for handing out a spanking to the unwashed
which makes us the top dogs for a change
just hope fulham can do to chelsea, what they done to us a couple of weeks ago
@5 – Pass. I know Krul has 13 as things stand.
Who has the most? Hart? De Gea? Cech? Vorm?
Just for everyone…..
Krul is on par with Joe Hart on 13clean sheets for golden glove.
JOE HART (Man City, 13 clean sheets this season)
TIM KRUL (Newcastle, 13)
MICHEL VORM (Swansea, 12)
BRAD FRIEDEL (Spurs, 11)
JOSE REINA (Liverpool, 11)
Canny goal like.
axel if you’re floating about here you have a few replies on the last thread
geordie ref @ fulham v chelsea game
wonder, just wonder, if fulham get some 50 / 50 decisions tonight??
fecking hope so
Good job Toonsy lad what a funny old game it was starting to look like it was going to turn into a nightmare, then Benny turned it on.
Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa Ben Arfa GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Meant to say I thought young Fergie done real well for us, and again Shola has done well coming on
Dave – definitely agree about fergie. Very smart positionally, kept the ball well, brought much needed energy in the second half and ran at the defence once or twice when the chance was there. Promising. Another that needs game time
Ben Arfa, a combination of Tony Green and Peter Beardsley. What a goal!!!
And shola always looks a threat coming on from the bench in fairness to him. Just doesn’t look the same when he starts the game. I’d say it was his legs if he started games well and then faded, but he just doesn’t seem to play with the same urgency. Not a bad option on the right on a 3 – has a great cross on him
feck…Chelski 1 up penalty
Feckin danny murphy
1-0 to chelsea
Murphy
Was it really a pen?
Looked a bit harsh?
Howay Fulham, ffs win one! Even a draw against your bitter blue rivals would be feckin mint.
Great win for the lads today. Not the best performance but I did not think that the referee helped today he should have been booking the Bolton players for repetitive fouling in my opinion. It was stop start all the way through but King Arfa’s goal was immense got to be goal of the season.
Ba seems happy enough now…
Demba Ba @dembabafoot Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Have you seen messi at SJP this afternoon??? Haha
song for ben arda! Anything messi does ben arfa does better anything he can do benny does better!
Big Dave- tough to recall a match where fergie hasn’t done well to be honest.
Not getting my hopes up for CL as we have about as brutal a final 3 matches as you can have, but the lads are giving it a go and fair play to them.
Bloody penalties man!
I swear this season we’ve earned what, three? Given away 10? These things do not “even each other out”
Areet Peeps.
Wow wot a stunna from the Geordie Messi.
Beardsley esk, if I say so myself.
MDS yeah young Fergie has done well when called upon.
Goal difference is gonna be our achilles heel I’m afraid.
We are too far away from Spuds and Chelsea and Arsenal.
2 matches that will come back to bite us. Spuds 5 and Fulham 5
Beardsley-I know what you mean, but if we lost out on champions league solely to goal difference it would still be unbelieveable. If we got to that stage we can’t blame ourselves, if we take maximum points then we take maximum points, its all we can do. You could say we should have battered teams better than 1-0 or 2-1 earlier in the season rather than playing safe, but then we may well have thrown points away then.
Seemed like the Lads were buckling from the pressure and weight of expectation, along with the short break between matches. Until Hatems 8 seconds of pure magic.
Thats some skill there, as its really not that easy to finish off at the speed he was travelling, aswell as dodging multiple tackles etc.
But he was so focused and determined, that nothing was gonna stop him.
Breath taking stuff.
It just gets better the more you look at it.
Fulham have been the better side from what I’ve seen…still i guess we should be grateful we got the 3points today.
a kna Newkie, it just would be a shame if we dipped out due to GD.
Of course the Chelsea away match will be the biggee and probably deciding result.
HTL
Chelsea look so average.
What a strike by penny! Am I right in thinking Cable has now 3 assists in last 3 games?
Cable? Cabaye !!
Set up both of Cissés vs Swansea, Johno, so 3 in 2. As much as that may go down as an assist though its all benny
cabaye’s been great since we changed formation, much more freedom
Get in Fulham!
get in 1 all
FUCKIN GET IN DEMPSEY
1.1 that man Dempsey again
Dempsey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get in Fulham
Yes! Dempsay you little diner
1-1
just after hughes almost did his old cluba favour too
FULHAM GOAAAAAL BABY!
now go on and win it because they have been the better team
Fulham can go above the mackems now
This was about when wigan equalised too mind
I do not wanna see a dodgy pen or offside goal for Chelsea now .
Fcking hell, Rise!
Ooh just needed a better first touch
They better not get caught on the counter here!
scum out of top ten
back where they belong
C’mon Fulham you can nick it
dodgy corner…. typical if they scored from it
I missed the pen lads was it a good shout or what?
well thats a bonus
a point, decent for us..
What chance of wolves getting something from Arsenal on wednesday?
Sitting 5th if only we’d never shipped them two lots of 5 goals and beat wolves at home
that Frei seems like a decent player like doesn’t he, would love someone in that mould, can play on the left wing or on the left of a midfield 3
Great result. I can’t wait for Chelsea v Barcelona. Messi is gonna tear them to bits.
DEMPSEY!!!!!!!!!! MY COUNTRYMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bolton gave us a really good game today to be fair to them. They didnt come up and just park a bus like I thought they would, they really had a go and fair play to them for that like.
But Bennys goal just looked like he was saying “right, I’ve had enough now like”.
There are very few players in the premier league who could score a goal like that and he’s really backing Pardews decision to change the formation and play him through the middle.
I think the players will certainly benefit the players now and allow them all to have a well earned rest and let those who have injuries to fully recover and push on for at least 5th place because I think today’s win guarantees us 6th.
BB@65-Stranger things have happened
What result do we want next week?
Obviously a win for us…
But Arsenal vs Chelsea?
I’m thinking Arsenal win so we put a five point gap between ourselves and Chelsea… Would go a long way to securing top five…
Dempsey you beauty!!!!!!
Yeah OH- very happy for his success this year. The guy came from nothing and worked his socks off to get where he is today….
I been impressed with Fulham this season and really like Dempsey.
5th!
One more win to mathematically secure 6th place…
MDS- That Radiohead sleeve you mentioned on last blog was it the Idioteque promo c.d and if so was it U.S or U.K promo .Both are rare and the U.S one is quite scarce and will be worth a few bob .
What a great day! Couldn’t find the match on anywhere after all so had to sit and watch spuds lose instead (haha) along with live text and the blog, but have now watched Ben Arfa’s goal at least 50 times from every angle, and Clint Dempsey goes and tops it off!!!
Krul for golden glove!!!
I’ll enjoy watching these motd pundits drooling over us for a change (or at least HBA)
MDS good luck against the pens if i don’t see you before weds
Fantastic result today! Great goals and players on form! Come on Stoke!
Spurs really were terrible….they cant play this badly for the rest of the season..can they?
Watched Bennys goal again on motd and it really is something else.
MDS,
Yeah man, he really did. If anyone deserves what he has, Clint does. The guy is really a class act and a good striker. Doin’ us proud!! Especially today when his snarky right foot put us firmly into 5th place!! Can’t believe we’re level with Spurs and it looks like their form is slipping… could be good things heading our way…
YEEHAW!! Buckle up lads- the trip to Europe can get a bit bumpy haha!!
(and lasses
)
Have we actually fallen out of the top 10 once this whole season?
OHurley-don’t think so mate
OMG Newcastle now you are starting to panic the champions league crowd and Spurs have already sh!t themselves. OOOOHHH I LOVE IT.
Tell yeez what though, av seen a few Toon players in mi time though, but that Bing Arthur, whatever he’s called, he gat dem craaaaaaaaaazy feet jam bone, kraaayyyyyyyzee feet!
shamone
…THAAATS waddam talkun bout
Rodzilla This is ma pool cha’mon, for playin wiv a women, and a lil bit of swimmin. Ya no wat I’m talkin bout hehe.
Absolute top notchings on the literal headboard of numeric expectancy; I counted fawa, and have now instigated a tally chart.
Today Newcastle United, Tomorrow, the Worrrrlllld!!
(@sportsdirect.com – terms and conditions apply)
DJG, fo sheeeeeezy ma neezy.
Jermaine Pennant’s dive fucked me off the day like.
…a had EVERTON, FULHAM (drahh), NEWCASTLE and VILLA.
…last fucking kick on MotD. Bastids. 5 pund at 21/1.
…least the results went pretty fkin fine.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!!!
Rodz
What’s up, man! Long time no see!
DJG and Rod,
Yo yo, G… don’t y’all be tawkin no jive when in the presence of a yank who know wut up, ya see. ‘less u want me tawkin all Geordie like…
haha am ganna shut me gob now. Almost done graftin, and then gannin oot for a pint o’ broon wif me mates like.
eyup Hurls arr kid,how’s thi diddling?
Hope you’ve grown out of that ‘rock’ music, the devil’s work.
Merchandise keeps us in line
Common sense says it’s by design
What could a businessman ever want more
than to have us sucking in his store
We owe you nothing
You have no control
You are not what you own
…said a 90′s post hardcore band, just off the cuff like. Nowt tedee wi futborl like.
…guess someone’s got to be the King of Blogs
…ahl this “troy” shit the younguns were taakin boot early on.
I put it down to inexperience.
Porsnli.
Thats Fugazi
yo toots, fo sho
Think I’m gonna have to put a tenner on Everton for the FA cup match with Liverpool, that way I’ll be happy either way….though I’d still rather Europe…
Now it’ll go to extra time
Fuck Stephen Gerrard, and overcompensate.
(I’m not gay)
….well, not as gay as Batty.
…happy, I meant, of course.
Shutup, ya batty crease
…HAPPY and GAAAAY!!!!
………just like Dave.
…speaking of which, Dave, I’m a straight man, I’m not quite sure how much longer I can hide my love for you.
X
Newkie, I’ve said no to you 3 times already. If you don’t go away I’m phoning the police. Stop texting me, last night was a one off, OK?
Troy’s having a party with Mark anyway, just got there noo, kicking…..
You gotta come back to me bby
You knowz Newkie treat you right sugar!
Tropical fudge like another wild foot, shit straight in the middle gaad dairm I’m the bigger of the little bigger fella in the middle YO!
Eeeeh Pappa Slappas.
Go on Rodthilla, tear him a New Hartley
…thanks for the advice Than, I’m working on a long term project at the moment, you wouldn’t understand.
BAN BANBISCO!
Give it up man, it’ll never fly – unless you can shit helium…
Checking out some other fans forums. Bolton fans seem to think this is the best their team has played in quite a while-even including their recent wins. Maybe we weren’t that woeful? Still….least we won.
Spurs fans turning on Arry is fucking hilarious as well like
Hey Ban, I nad onll shit helium,
….well a rip oxygene like a fucking Mr Sheen from the shit on ye carpet frowm nanteen sivni 3reeeee
“What worries me now is that the FA WON’T approach ‘Arry.
No shit. I don’t want this rat after his ambitions sank the ship. He can’t leave fast enough for me. I don’t care if we get squat for him. He acts like he couldn’t be bothered with Tottenham and that attitude has seaped into the entire squad.”
And we’re delusional
Fuck me, but Harry got them where they were.
They sound a bit like some of our fans, back in the day
Harry Redknapp should’ve known not to play with fire.
Matches matches
Fack Arry fackin Noocarsoo cant yoo wot aiyy
I
…YOOOOOOOOOOO-WOT-YOO-WOT-YOO-WOT!!!
Savern cantz, Arr fakeen Item.
Nuke arse ooh, are fakin shitem.
HEEEY THAAAN FWAANTHITHCO, ITH THENNA!!!!
HEYY THENNA!
(where’s mi fuckin Big Track, ye cunt)
….6 whole weeks I worked on that Santa list, felt-tips, glitter, you fucking name it.
….ITH THENNAHH!
(BOOYAKA)
A nevva haddit man.
I think I’ve got that blue waffle disease
Blue waffle’s the milk chocolate wafer biscuit I always please
…when ma women treats me right, she gives me Birds Eye Blue Waffle Fry’s Crisp and Dry.
….ahhh gat those, can’t gerrinuff of those, …..
…oh, thengyu
(Biscuits form the foundations of civilisation)
No – it’s not.
Trust iz, you wouldn’t want to eat it.
FACT!!!!
Soz
(Yee bliddy googled the bastad tho)
Hey Than Franthithco, now that we’re best mates and all that, do you mind if I kip at yours tomorrow, al be nee botha like. Mi norse sez am about ready, whatever that means.
I still think you better leave it for a bit, ya deeing weel like.
Ask ya mam first.
A did Than, she said you knew the ins an oots.
…yee hiding sumik?
Wey ner man. A just divvn’t think ya ready. These things sometimes take a bit longer to… yi knaa…
…wait a minute, are you grooming me
“Than Franthithco” 
…POLLISS!!
BUMBLEBEE STARING AT MEEEEEE
…got the fucking Feds on you now Franthithco, you’re fucked.
(apologies for the expletives)
fuck you all, just in case, fucking dickheads.
Lighters yi blightaz!
ITH THENNA!!!!
Sonny fish lemon jelly am in the mood to whip my booty with a tire iron.
….THENNAAAAAAHH!!!!
..don’t swim in the water, don’t fly in the
daytime, just do as you wanna, and it’ll be okay.
know hell head mounds wasp ship
Mammal brisket
(mammal brisket for you, and you and you…)
…down at 73
At the end of the day, I couldn’t agree.
Cabaye & Collicini at Newcastle Airport! Collicini getting wrong for too many liquids. Cabaye’s a dreamboat & his missus is fit!!
Ya can never have too many liquids when ya going on ya jollies like
Liverpool need 12 point from the last six games to avoid their worst ever Premier League points total
And all King Kernty can do is blame the refs.
Always the victim in self pity city
Toonsy….I think the 12 point ship has well and truly sailed…..a bit like the mackems who were reckoning they’d get 12/14 points in their remaining games before yesterday’s match
It’ll be sweet if we can finish 20+ points ahead of scumsville
Jesus… last three games we’ve won 2-0. 3 clean sheets on the bounce, I don’t think we’ve done that all season!
Preditctions for the rest of the season-
Newcastle 3 – 0 Stoke
Wigan 1 – 2 Newcastle
Chelsea 3 – 1 Newcastle
Newcastle 3 – 1 Man City
Everton 2 – 2 Newcastle
That’s 10 points from 15 to put us on 69.
Our last 3 games are going to be nails. Stoke and Wigan HAVE to be wins so we stay with the leading pack to put us in a good position for the last 3.
Queen kenneth hiding behind the cups again, He lived off beating barca for 6 months and fluked a cup final against a shit load of lower league teams and everton who escaped relegation on goal difference, Conveniently masking taking us from runners up to 13th in 9 months.
Wont be happy until the auld cunt with a face like a geriatrics ball sack is back on the scrap heap where celtic rightly dumped him…
dare i say that i think benarfa is way more skillfull than ginola
Nobby….I can’t see Chelsea putting 3 past us cos no ones allowed to do the double over us this season
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiBhoclr4xA a must watch
wrang thread Batty>>>>>>>>>
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