Christened as “French Day” by the club in honour of our recent influx of French players, two of them marked the occasion with a goal whilst other put in good performances for the team. However it was Papiss Cisse who scored the goal of the game, lashing the ball home from 30 yards.
Our record since the arrival of our January signings has been impressive and is a large reason for why we are starting to pull away from the drop zone. Since we brought our business to a close we’ve beaten Aston Villa, Chelsea and Southampton in the league, beaten and drew with Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League with our only defeat in six coming away at Gareth Bale.
Things didn’t start off well for United on this day though and they found themselves behind on 3 minutes when Morgan Schneiderlin got on the end of a Rickie Lambert header, turned Steven Taylor and fired low past Rob Elliot, who was making his Premier League debut for the club in the absence of Tim Krul.
Southampton tried to protect their lead which allowed United to build a head of steam. They should have been level when Mathieu Debuchy burst down the right and cut the ball back for Yoan Gouffran who saw his effort find the feet of Cisse six yards out. the Senegal striker showed a good first touch to trap the ball but his second touch was wild as he sliced wide of the post.
United were level on 33 minutes, and it was three of the French contingent who combined to restore parity to the scoreline. Yohan Cabaye played a perfect ball forward for Yoan Gouffran to run on to. The former Bordeaux man burst into the left of the penalty area performing stepovers along the way before shooting at goal. Artur Boruc could only parry the effort across goal to Moussa Sissoko who tapped home from a couple of yards out.
Just nine minutes later and the home side were ahead after Rob Elliot took a long free-kick deep inside our own half. The ball eluded the entire Southampton defence before sitting up for Papiss Cisse to hit it first time from 30 yards out. A wonderful goal ensuring United held the half-time advantage.
Half-time: Newcastle 2-1 Southampton
Much like the first-half, Southampton drew first blood in the second period and found themselves level within five minutes of the interval. United had already had a warning after Rickie Lambert forced a fine save from Rob Elliot from a free-kick just outside the penalty area, but they didn’t heed it and Lambert scored his 100th goal for Southampton after Adam Lallana burst down the left and crossed for the former Bristol Rovers man to fire home first time.
At 2-2 the game was delicately poised and you got the sense that the next goal would be vitally important. It very nearly fell the way of Southampton aswell as Rickie Lambert ghosted in at the far post only to put his header wide.
However soon after United were handed a golden chance to regain the lead. Yohan Cabaye played one of those “hoof balls” straight to the feet of Mathieu Debuchy who crossed first time only to see the ball blocked by the arm of Danny Fox. Referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot and Yohan Cabaye sent Boruc the wrong way from 12 yards out.
That was on 67 minutes but with quarter of the game remaining you always felt that another goal was needed to kill off a determined Southampton side. That goal arrived 11 minutes from time in rather comical circumstances as Davide Santon crossed from the left only for Danny Fox to see his attempted clearance smash off Jos Hoiveld into the back of the Saints net. Game over.
Full-time: Newcastle 4-2 Southampton
The win moves us six points clear of the drop zone and it’s the first time we’ve scored four goals in a game since beating Wolverhampton Wanderers in April 2011. It’s also the first time this season we’ve won a game after conceding the first goal and the first time we’ve won back-to-back home games all season long. Quite a few things to put to bed courtesy of this result.
Hows about this for another stat? Of all our goals scored, 89% of them this season have been scored by French speaking players! Tres bien!
How about another? Only two goalkeepers have registered an assist this season. One is Rob Elliot, the other is Tim Krul!
There’s some highlights below for you to have a peek at if you wish to do so. I suggest you do. We’ve not had a great season in terms of results and although that seems to be improving why not spoil yourself and watch it again?
Next up we travel to Swansea who will be in buoyant mood after their League Cup triumph yesterday. We won there last season but it won’t be an easy game and we’ll have to be at our best if we are to come away from the Liberty Stadium with a positive result in the bag.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Rob Elliot, Mathieu Debuchy, Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Davide Santon, Cheik Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran, Papiss Cisse
Subs: Jak Alnwick, Vurnon Anita, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, James Perch, Gabriel Obertan, Sylain Marveaux, Shola Ameobi
Southampton: Artur Boruc, Nathaniel Clyne, Yoshida, Jos Hooiveld, Luke Shaw, Morgan Schneiderlin, Jack Cork, Steven Davis, Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert
Subs: Kelvin Davis, Jose Fonte, Gaston Ramirez, Danny Fox, James Ward-Prowse, Emmanuel Mayuka, Jason Puncheon
Attendance: 52,259
Great performance. Couple of defensive lapses aside I thought we were pretty dominant.
MOTM for me was either Debuchy, who I was seriously impressed with yesterday, or Cabaye.
Saturday can’t come soon enough these days.
Exciting times ahead, Tiote is looking back on form, our new transfers still need “time to settle”, Cisse is still on the brink of exploding back into form, oh and the small matter of a Mr Hatem Ben Arfa returning to the team 😯
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Just from the last thread….
Seems people put a lot of emphasis on tactics. Like they are the only variable.
They arent.
And here’s me thinking that we’re winning because we have better players out on the pitch. Silly me 🙄
toonsy(Quote)
I think Pardew got the team selection spot on for both the metalist and Southampton matches, The tactics as wor Al pointed out on MOTD to counter their high pressing game by letting them push numbers forward and then take half a dozen players out of the game with a simple ball through or over the top worked a treat imho…
CC(Quote)
Yet again very impressed with the new boys. Debuchy’s class but Gouffrans surprised me the most. Anyone notice that free kick he took – haven’t seen anybody hit a ball that hard since Robert.
Haidara will push Santon hard if he keeps losing the ball on the half way line and Mbiwa looks far better on the right of the defence.
Still, overjoyed with developments and feel we’ll get something at Swansea.
georgio(Quote)
Great result, this team has fought back impressively recently after falling behind to Chelsea, Spurs and now Saints, all are goos sides. Don’t think there are many better sides than Saints at the moment, tbh, and we over powered them in the end yesterday.
No point in picking motm, cos I cant split some, but a lot of players played well y’day. I’m really liking the new Frenchies. People who think they lack bottle probably forged that opinion from Obertan and other people like Nasri for City. These guys are workaholics and very skilful and quick. Something we were lacking in the past.
Things that pleased me were;
-how good was Debuchy’s attacking (him and Cabaye seem to control that little side of the pitch. Cabayes pass to Deb for the pen – class )
-Gouffran Sissoko and Tiote were class y’day.
-Elliots kicking is MILES better than Kruls
-Yanga-Mbiwa adds real pace to our defence and he needs to be a starter for me
-Santon class assist, how many assists is that recently? I’m ignoring their 2nd goal because he is probably asked to be attacking so its hard to do both
-Cisse – So glad he is scoring again, and can’t believe the stick he has recently
IMO it was down to Pardew trying to make him be a winger, probably confused the boy after what he did last year. Lookin back as soon as Ba made it clear there would be no removal of that clause he should of been back on the wing. So glad he’s gone.
BIGPAPA(Quote)
Debuchy has impressed me no end… single minded, agressive without being over the top and just the right amount of mongrel in him to be a top EPL defender. Pick of the new bunch for me.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
hope krul was watching! you dont have to hoof it all the time,i thought elliot did well at least he can throw the ball out to team mates think his kicking was better too 😉
icedog(Quote)
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4811811/Hatem-Ben-Arfa-I-can-win-trophies-at-Newcastle.html
M(Quote)
Special mention for Tiote who I thought was immense yesterday, looked back to the form he showed last season.
EvilFranky(Quote)
Ice-he can throw the ball to team mates halfway in the opposition half, that boy eats his spinach 😀 Seriously his distribution was great and we were a lot more comfortable as a result, he didn’t really do anything wrong so kudos to pards for bringing him in.
Also even though there were several good performances I thought Tiote did brilliantly, how anyone can leave him out of our first 11 is beyond me…
Newkie(Quote)
Franky you ****** 😈 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Best player for Newcastle yesterday – Danny Fox 😆 😆
Only joking of course, I think it was a very strong team performance yesterday. Saints clearly started quicker than we did and being honest, I feared the worst after that early goal. But to be fair Saylor and Elliott were able to put that out of their minds quickly and went on to have strong games. I thought Tiote looked good yday and I’m not just talking about his hair. He seemed more comfortable having players who can pass the ball around him. Of course Debuchy, Sissoko and Cabaye were stand out. But for me Gouffran was huge for us yesterday. He was always a pacey, treatful outlet every time we broke forward. I was also pleased for Cisse. Great goal and good performance again. Hope Cabaye and Colo will be okay.
Special mention for the fans. Absolutely outstanding yesterday and there is no better place in the world when the atmosphere is like that IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Always piggy backing off other bloggers comments aren’t ya Newkie 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie
I agree with you @ 6 and 13…….
😆
Newkie(Quote)
I thought Gouffran waited for the game to come to him a bit yesterday. He set up our first but he really didn’t impose himself like he has in his last starts. He almost seemed a little disinterested when we didn’t have the ball…. just my observations..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Newkie 🙂 🙂 you been working mate, haven’t seen you on here much??
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Sissoko is the dog’s knackers like. My new favourite player. He’s got everything. Can’t believe we got him, unchallenged, for so cheap!
…and Tiote’s heed looks like a giant pint of Guinness with that new haircut.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Aussie-Not sure you can say that about gouffy, he was desparately trying to get back just before Soton got their second. I think its more Pards wants him upfield and outwide as an outlet-it worked a treat for our first goal. Meanwhile Jonas can slog back (as he can’t go forward 😛 ) Tiote is always back, Cabs comes back to spray the pass out to gouffy in the first place and Sissoko comes back because it doesn’t matter where he is, he can set up a move and get into the opposition box quicker than Usain Bolt 😆
Yeah i’m in the 8.30-5.30 grind now buddy 😕 Get on when I’m not busy but there’s “merger” (takeover) on the cards so everyone is going apeshit. 😀
Newkie(Quote)
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/premierleague/article3698154.ece
Benny interview by George Caulkin
M(Quote)
The fact all these players are playing so impressively just proves how much the EPL overrates itself/disregards other leagues.
“Oooh, Sissoko wont get any goals for us because he hardly scored in France”
Doh 🙄
Newkie(Quote)
I thought Barfa was due for a recall for the Soothamptin game anyway. I noticed he wasn’t even on the bench. Has he had an injury setback?
Mind you, I’m not sure where he’d fit in at the moment!
Rodzilla(Quote)
Newkie, I thought Gouff was quiet compared to his previous games.. I think he is being seen through rose coloured glasses by some yesterday. He has played much better for us. Still a good player tho 🙂
Will you be keeping you job after the merger?
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
The younger Ameobi has join Boro on loan.
The older Ameobi was spotted slaying a Mackem for the 47,362th time.
Toon TRW(Quote)
…Sammeobi has joined the smoggies on loan until the end of the season.
Just up on SSN Breaking News now.
Rodzilla(Quote)
Doh!
Beat me to it Toon Trw!
Must get up earlier. 😳
Rodzilla(Quote)
Rodz, you are normally more switched on than that 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I’m on charge at the moment Aussie. Not operating at 100%. 😎
Rodzilla(Quote)
I’ve heard your more Alkaline than NiCad Rodz 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Rodzilla 😯 😆
Sharpy17 Danny Fox 😆
Good win yesterday. However, Santon must learn to defend better and avoid getting caught out of position when attacking. It seems that the opposition teams have caught on this and targeted his flank. Sissoko is not a train, he is a bullet train! 😎
Toon TRW(Quote)
Aussie-Agree he was fairly quiet, but I don’t think he went invisible in the classic Lovenkrands sense..As long as he’s better than Obertan, that’s all I ask 😀
Not too sure mate, going to have to keep reapplying for 6month contracts by the looks of things, will probably depend how many take voluntary redundancy, or get the sack.
Newkie(Quote)
NiCad on weekdays Aussie.
Usually only run on alkaline every Saturday. 😆
Rodzilla(Quote)
I really like Santon but his real weakness to me is that he doesn’t stop mamy crosses from coming in from his side. Simmo gets a lot of stick but he is better at blocking crosses than Santon. Santon is fantastic with the ball at his feet tho, class!!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Rodz 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Physio Room have Barfa down for a March 2nd return anyway. They keep bumping it forward. Have I missed something? I thought he was due back a month ago! 😯
Rodzilla(Quote)
Good luck with the contracts Newkie.. six months isn’t very feckin long ..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
I see mrs cabaye keeps re tweeting articles about Man Utd and arsenal being after cabaye.
Is she fucking mental haha
Alex(Quote)
Aussie-for my first it was advertised as 18 month, my boss told me it would be a year and then HR told my boss it would be 6 months. It was 5 months by the time it got to me 🙄 though I have a reapplication in process. Just the way it is here. The only thing similar about south wales and the north east are the unemployment levels, makes me feel at home 😆
Newkie(Quote)
Cheers though Aussie, if I don’t get one i’ll hop on a boat to your country and join the bloody immigrants/abbos.. 😀
Newkie(Quote)
There is enough bludgers here already Newkie 🙂 🙂
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Glad that Sammy will get games though I remain to be convinced that he is good enough to warrant a place in the Premier League.
Looking at the squad for the reserve game makes me remember that we have Amalfitano. What was the point in his signing?
sjp14(Quote)
Amafilitano was a weird one, Carr seemed convinced he was class.
Andymag(Quote)
Yeah but he has hardly set the world alight in the appearances he has made.
sjp14(Quote)
Carr guilty of a bit of “wise”‘in with ammy
Newkie(Quote)
It looks as though Amalfitano may have been personally recommended to Carr by Ollie Bernard, who was quoted as saying that he knows him well and had been watching him closely for a couple of years before we signed him. He also said that it could take a year or so before we see the best of him, so I don’t think we should be too concerned that he hasn’t featured much so far. In Ollie I trust 🙂
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2012/05/24/romain-amalfitano-tipped-to-be-big-hit-at-newcastle-united-72703-31035219/
Chris G(Quote)
We have a lot of dead wood to clear out this summer and Amaltafino tops the list for me.
georgio(Quote)
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8523938
We’ve got loads of keepers, even if Harper was to leave in the summer we’d have Krul, Elliot, Alnwick and Freddie Woodman all on our books. We don’t need this guy.
Andymag(Quote)
I saw Amalfitano against Hartlepool in the pre season friendly and he looked a decent turn like, he’s nee Cabaye or Sissoko but seemed a very intelligent player and was fine with the battle.
I have been a bit surprised that he hasn’t featured much at all this season, particularly with all the injuries.
Georgio – I understand why you see him as deadwood mate I think Pardew is still developing the lad. Pardew took his time with Benny as well but we’d never dismiss him as deadwood.
My list would be made up of players who have had a chance and not taken it. Players like Ranger, Obertan, Marveaux and Gosling.
I hope Sammi’s loan move works out for him and Boro decide to take him next season as well, coz I think he needs a full season at that sort of level.
Tav, Fergie, Campbell and probably Amalfitano could do with loan moves next season as well I think.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy
Isn’t he 23, shouldn’t he have developed by now.
Andymag(Quote)
Andy – Cabaye was 25 ish when he came to us from Lille. I’d say that whilst he was a decent player then, he’s arguably developed a lot since being with us and is probably close if not at his peak now at 27.
Like I say, I’m not expecting him to force Cabs out the first team, but reckon he will be a decent stand in when he’s out and who knows, if he develops well over the next 3-4yrs, he and Innman may well be duking it out for that first team spot.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Don’t really get the Amalfutano baiting. He’s hardly played so how anyone can form an opinion on him is beyond me.
Not saying he’s good or bad because I dont know and neither does anyone. ..
toonsy(Quote)
TOONSY@50 bloody dead right,think a lot judge by vids of him,fatal imo,i could make richie look good on a vid 😀 nobody buys world beaters at that price,its something to work on give him time ffs
icedog(Quote)
Toonsy wasn’t meaning to be down on the lad just saying I don’t really understand his signing. Pardew doesn’t seem to rate him and it didn’t really strengthen the squad as a consequence.
sjp14(Quote)
http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2013/02/liverpool-chase-newcastle-winger-hatem-ben-arfa.html?m=1
Deluded fans 🙄
Andymag(Quote)
Liverpool USED to be good , USED to be good.
hello(Quote)
ide quite like carrol back on the cheap 6 mill at most
battysback but kev will always be king(Quote)
Ice @ 51 I think your wrong on that one, I do agree that you can make most look good on video but they have to have something to start with 😀 unless it’s a video on the dangers off over eating 😀
As for Amalifitano Pards said when he got him and Bigi that they were for the future, it’s just Bigi has been needed at times and has done well but you can still see that he is still a bit wet behind the ears.
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE be fair it is Monday mate,he’s a canny lad
icedog(Quote)
Not saying amalfitano is ****, but at 23 he’s not got much time to show what he can do, the fact he is the same age as sissoko and would have wanted that position says a lot…
Newkie(Quote)
NEWKIE thing is some players devlelop later than others,if sissooko had not been out of contract your talking 10mil plus,just saying give the lad time before you judge,how many times have you seen him play??
icedog(Quote)
People saying you haven’t seen him play so how can you judge him. The fact you haven’t seen him play says it all really. Did he even make the bench during our injury crisis?
Have we even heard a mention of him performing well in the reserves?
I would say we will never see him in a starting line-up and he will be sold/released within the next two years.
Would be awesome if i am wrong (highly doubt it though).
Santii(Quote)
Still not clear on what is wrong with Ben Arfa now? Why was he not on the bench? Since he wasn’t even on the bench will he be ready to go against Southampton? Read the George Caulkin interview with interest. Ben Arfa sounds very upbeat and positive. Now is the time for him to really assert himself in the lineup again. He would be an additional huge lift for us going into the last 11 games.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Santii I take it you know for sure that he hadn’t got any niggles when we were hit for injuries. But I do know he made the bench a couple of times ❓
As for the reserves yeah he has had a few good reports from the reserve team manager 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Shows how mature I am, can’t stop laughing at the mirror’s headline ‘kop block’ 😆 🙄
Andymag(Quote)
I would imagine that HBA will be available for selection against Swansea, and the tricky bit will be holding him back. He must have been watching developments at the toon over the last month and be chomping at the bit to get stuck into Swansea. He’s missed a lot of games over the last couple of years, but would look brilliant in the current line up.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Evening lads , Didn’t get to see Metalist game or Saints and both times we bloody win 🙄 . Been in Bristol royal infirmary since late wednesday night then home then back on thursday a.m untill this afternoon as Lewis was admitted again 🙄 ,might even end up back in yet as not sure he’s 100% now like.
Anyway I hear Shola was man of the hour,who would of guessed and seems to like scoring in Europe 😀
Re the Saints game got lots of updates in hospital from my daughter ,apparently Cisse scored a wonderful goal and she has recorded MOTD 2 for me to watch when I can .Looking forward to it ,I knew he’d be back soon enough. Shame on all the doubters 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
I don’t like having our players be linked away to Man U and liverscum 🙁 , if Cabaye and Benny goes I’ll be very upset. One makes us tick and the other provides flair and is fun to watch.
Andymag(Quote)
http://m.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-utd/pools-will-not-be-signing-former-nufc-pair-1-5446029
Michael Riley, just read an article yesterday discussing the future NUFC talent and he was among them. Was supposed to be good so sad to see him and Knight go, hopefully they’ll find a club to take them.
Andymag(Quote)
See Spuds and West ham level so far ,could do with the hammers losing as we’d go above them
Nice to see us sitting above the Scum by the way. 😈 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim sorry to hear Lewis was back in again 😥 how is things now ❓
funny I wondered where you were 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
Kim funny I was thinking during the Metal game that you would have been glad we played a strong squad 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Just read we’re after that Feyenoord Dutch CB he’s young and Cpt of their team. Seems a trend that we sign/are linked with club captains because we now that generally they are good characters, we’ll have a team of leaders eventually, then who lead? 😕 😆
Andymag(Quote)
*know
**who’ll
Andymag(Quote)
Andy it’s better to have a team of leaders as they don’t normally need to be lead 😉 but I still wouldn’t read too much into players were getting linked to 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave ,Bloody hell mate ,he had a fit in the bath and aspirated on bath water ,he was ridgid and I couldn’t get his head upright as he’d gone onto his side . It was right in front of me and I still couldn’t prevent it. On top of that his left ear is driving him nuts ever since that ent op on the 8th .Shedloads of antibiotics and 14 doses of iv anti b’s and he’s still rubbing his ear and grinding his teeth (sign of pain) .Anyway they have let him home as say chest is now clear and given ear drops and oral anti b’s ,but he ain’t happy one bit and the tooth grinding is seriously loud .Poor Lew ,he’s really getting it lately. I spent another 4 nights sleeping on a hard chair ,getting too old for it now ,my back thinks it belongs to some 85 year old 🙄 .
Both those games sound like good games ,were they?
KIMTOON(Quote)
Dave @70 😆 very funny . No I’m glad we went through as we deserved to on the balance of the first leg where we was robbed well and truely. More than anything I’m glad it didn’t seem to affect our sunday game.
Really sad to hear Krul out injured ,what happened there then?
KIMTOON(Quote)