Andros Townsend and Karl Darlow inspired a hard fought, crucial victory for Newcastle as they clawed their way out of the bottom three for the first time since early February.
It was a truly determined display from Newcastle as Alan Pardew’s Palace tried to antagonise and frustrate Newcastle and their fans with cheap tactics in the first half. Pardew himself refuted claims that he set up his side to irritate the St James’s Park faithful but it was pretty obvious to all concerned that Pardew tried to turn the crowd against the home side and quash any momentum they could gain.
It did not work. The Newcastle fans did brilliantly to avoid berating their former boss and decided to instead, proudly and defiantly support their current manager and his team. It was the perfect way to deal with Pardew and his present bunch of mercenaries. Although Pardew did, in fairness, at the end of the game, congratulate Newcastle and the fans on a win, it was definitely through gritted teeth.
It was not Newcastle’s finest performance but it was one of sheer character and the three points gained could turn out to be absolutely vital. Townsend was terrific throughout. His work rate and determination was as exceptional as his free kick. Lauren Robert-like in execution, it was a magnificent strike but what was equally impressive, was when Townsend, with fifteen minutes to go, sprinted back and slid in to deny Palace a counter attack. It was the kind of endeavour that has been lacking in many Newcastle displays this season.
Karl Darlow was brilliant. He made several good stops in the first half and saved a Cabaye penalty to keep Newcastle in the lead. He seemed to grow many metaphorical inches throughout the game and was rightfully celebrated by his teammates when the final whistle blew.
With Arsenal reluctantly beating Norwich and Sunderland dropping points, it was a good afternoon for Newcastle. It could have been so much better if not for Defoe’s late, late equaliser at Stoke.
Norwich and Sunderland may have a game in hand but Newcastle have points on the board and momentum into the final games of the season. Today was a good day.
Newcastle Climb Out of Bottom Three
Yes out of the bottom 3 and not to return this season. Still think we will pick up 6 more points, but got a feeling we will only need 1 more
Simon(Quote)
We have to go for it in a disciplined way against Villa.
I believe it’s their last home game of the season, so their fans may well be more focused on making their feelings known to the owner.
What he’s doing is working, so I wouldn’t change anything (in terms of player selection) going into that game – unless Anita is knackered, in which case Mbabu goes in there.
I would like to see Perez in for Gini as well personally, which he was in previous games before Palace.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Andy good read, yeah we didn’t have the best of games more so the 1st half, but apart from the 3 pts the important thing again was that we never gave up and fought hards for the points. I still believe we will stay up and I think we will get at least 4 pts from the next 2 games, but after last night’s game I won’t be surprised to get 6 pts
Big Dave(Quote)
Sharpy I think the Villa fans will create a toxic atmosphere that their team will struggle to cope with.
Big Dave(Quote)
I see Rafa’s finally been linked with the Everton job. I thought I was the only one concerned with this. Praying that he just won’t go because of previous attachments or the fans won’t have him for the same reason.
Very good result for us last night. Spurs are now pretty much assured of 2nd place and could have lost four more first teamers in Rose, Aldererwield to injury and Lamela and Dembele to the FA. With Alli that’s half their team!
Georgio(Quote)
That’s it now. Staying out of bottom three for good now.
Although could do with it not going to the last day. Need Sunderland and Norwich to lose their next two. Might be a touch fanciful that though… 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
Already bored of the Leicester love in too. Congratulations to them, but FFS!
Stuart79(Quote)
I doubt it will happen but it’s not that fanciful to imagine Sunderland and Norwich losing two matches is it?
Georgio(Quote)
Maybe not, they’re not the easiest two matches next up either. Not totally out of the question but unlikely.
Stuart79(Quote)
Sunderland have released their financial figures for the last year. Only a £25m loss! Don’t envy them when they go down!
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – credit where it’s due, but it’s ridiculous people like Robbie Savage coming out the woodwork on MOTD last night & having cameras at Linekers house 😯
Alan Smith was on Soccer AM at the weekend too – I didn’t even know he played for Leicester!! He’s only even been a Gooner before now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
More mind games from Sam,Rafa is training players twice a day it’s wrong says Sam all it will do is bring about 14 injurys of strains and thighs British managers don’t do that we would give them more time off’oh aye Sam what have you ever won like with your methods like,doe heed
Icedog(Quote)
Apologies to those who don’t think such things should appear on the blog but here’s the results of the blog’s fantasy football cup quarter finals:
Alestars 31 – 25 Natalie Sawyer Fan
Shteves Shcitty 49 – 34 Puff Puff Pass
Balotellitubbies 44 – 53 Macas Pony and Trap
Nik Nak Utd 57 – 32 Born Winner FC
The luck is with Alestars once again. They’d have lost any other match. Even my Roar guys would have beaten them.
I’ll post the semi final draw later in the week. That should rile a few people.
Brisvegas(Quote)
Ice – fat Sam will have a cob on coz with their rearranged game, it means they have 3 games in a week. That’s probably going to disturb his usual training routine – and he’ll want to wrap Defoe in cotton wool.
The manager with all the experience, who’s never been relegated – he’s getting flustered I’d say 😛
Sharpy17(Quote)
Villa fans arranging demonstrations for Saturday. That can only help us I reckon. Plus a half empty stadium won’t do the Villa players any good either.
As for Alladyce. He’s a Bell End who has akready admitted our form has unsettled his players. I could have sworn too that our injuries have cleared up since Rafa turned up too. Colo was already injured, so too Hadaira, Janmaat broke his hand and the others, he’s just not playing like Doumbia, Riviere, Aarons and Taylor.
Stuart79(Quote)
I bet only Dembele gets suspended for Spurs. Not only did Clattenberg miss the stamp and the snot but two leg-breakers from Dier and Rose. For that performance Clattenberg should be sent to the Championship. However, he is touted as the best English Ref and I think he did the Champions League game last week. He is a disgrace. I think he was afraid to give a red card as the game was so out of hand – but who let it get out of hand, Mark?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You could be right mate,would serve him right if Defoe goes lame with his light training,maybe that’s reason they been drawing games from winning positions,there tired
Icedog(Quote)
It is the pundits again with Fat Sam. They build him up and make things up like he is experienced in a relegation fight. If they did even a couple of minutes research they would know he is not. And yet, when they repeat it so often it becomes “known” and they all believe it. They are just lazy. Lawro said before the Palace match that they had been on a good PL run recently – they had won 1 in 18, soon to be 1 in 19.
BFS is coming out with some bizarre stuff though. He is definitely rattled.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I don’t think Fat Sam understands that Rafa was a new Manager at NUFC who had to get his ideas across. The players were probably not fit enough due to Schteve’s slack methods and extra days off but they also had to learn new tactics, methods and formations. From what I have read a lot of what was done in extra training was drills and even video work which we all know was necessary (I mean, it wasn’t all running around and fitness stuff). If Fat Sam did any research he would have known we were top of the injury league last year and very near the top this year with 3 English Managers. Yet another example of football people opening their gobs before engaging their brain.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – let them do it mate. Let the scum fans & players buy into that nonsense – it will all result in a greater fall from grace come the day 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
Maybe Fat Sam thinks he is playing mind games and taking the pressure off his players. I don’t see how saying stupid things is mind games though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Top 9 in PL have foreign managers. Are they all shyte Fat Sam? Highest placed British manager is Hughes at Stoke.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The soft Southern media are doing their usual licking up to Spurs:
“I really hope the FA do not go too hard on Tottenham and Chelsea – it was such a highly charged night and I loved seeing Poch get involved,” tweeted the Daily Telegraph’s Matt Law on Tuesday morning.
Spurs are young as well, don’t forget that. But is that really an excuse for over the top two footed tackles, eye gouging, stamping, and snot throwing? Not to mention the Manager entering the fray and a near fight at the tunnel. If it had been NUFC we would have been down to 6 men and Lawton would have said it was deserved.
They just love their Spurs and their West Hams.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Icedog(Quote)
Let’s see what happens with Dembele. My guess is a 3 match ban. Cisse gets 6 for spitting, how many did Suarez get for biting? My view was Dembele started to try to poke Costa in the eye and then had second thoughts and dragged his nail down his face. I think that is about as bad as Suarez’s bite. Didn’t Pards get like 7 games for that head-push at Hull? I just want some consistency and if Pocettino doesn’t get a ban does that mean every manager is now allowed onto the field to push and argue with players?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I know Poch was trying to break things up but should that matter?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have read a few letters from Spurs fans saying that Chelsea provoked their players and that they were glad they showed some spirit. The word most often used to describe their players’ actions was naughty 🙂 Really. I might have defended it if it was NUFC but I would have known in my heart of hearts that a few deserved to be sent off.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Next week, we gotta to be both Everton and Watford supporters. 👿 👿
Cause once Sunderland AND Norwich fail to win their game in hand, Newcastle is more or less done deal safe. 😀 😀
I don’t see Chelsea and Manchester United losing… so no issue.
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Eric – in rugby it’s usually an 8-10wk ban for an eye gouging incident.
Sharpy17(Quote)
AOD – If Sunderland and Norwich both lose on Saturday and we win then their games in hand take on a totally different meaning. If they lose, they’re down, but wither way, it will no longer be in their hands. I expect the last day to be in our hands.
Stuart79(Quote)
Just worried that fragility defense of both Everton And Watford…. I’m hoping Roberto Martinez is trying his best ability to keep his job and Watford Manager to finish the season on high.
Weirdly enough,
Sunderland last two fixtures is in fact the opposite of Norwich’s….
AngelOfDeath(Quote)
Here is the timeline of all of the **** between Spurs and Chelsea. I bet only Dembele gets punished and if the linesman saw it and they did nothing then he will even get away with it. Clattenberg is a disgrace.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3570881/The-Premier-League-s-shameful-game-Chelsea-2-2-Tottenham-descended-chaos-night-Leicester-s-title-win.html
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am really surprised that hardly any of the pundits seem to be taking into account that Saturdays fixtures make it more likley than not that Newcastle will increase their lead over Sunderland and then all of a sudden it’s Sunderland who are playing catch up. If Sunderland beat Chelsea and then Everton then they deserve to stay up but I just can’t see them beating Chelsea.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’ve got a awful feeling that after last nights game Chelsea have nothing to play for therefore won’t put much effort into their game with scum and will have the crowd right up for it,Ime just hoping STUART is right and Chelsea can get at least a draw
Icedog(Quote)
They’re still a good team, Ice and Sunderland will have to play better than they have recently to beat them. Can they all of a sudden start scoring goals while not conceding? Alladyce has them sitting back for the first half and then tries to go forward after the break but a team like Chelsea won’t be as timid as Arsenal were. They will go for the throat and be clinical. They could easy win 0-2 or 1-3 imo.
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART Ime praying your right you’ve been right up to now,keep it up mate,been with you from the start so won’t give up now
Icedog(Quote)
Stu , I’m hoping you are right but I’m not letting myself feel any hope or the fall will feel a dozen times worse.
kimtoon(Quote)
I do think it will be a hard game for Chelsea at the sol, just hope they are in the mood for it
kimtoon(Quote)
I was playing tennis from 4pm last Saturday. Have a Garmin sports watch so sync’d up the Bluetooth to my phone and turned on the alerts for Sunderland goals and full time, as well as for Newcastle. People were wondering why I celebrated losing a point when Sunderland conceded and Newcastle then scored!
Going to be rooted to the updates this Saturday too!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Well Chelski did it for Ran last night, so hopefully they will do it for Rafa at the weekend. He was successful for them while he was there, and got **** all the while he was there, so they owe him I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And, yeah, if we don’t beat Villa on Saturday, then we don’t deserve to stay up! But There’s every chance that we’d have a bigger lead before we’re down to having Everton and Watford as our joint second favourite teams…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I think Sunderland have run out of steam. Chelsea will beat them. They will want to finish the season on a high note.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2
That’s optimistic!
I definitely don’t think Sunderland have run out of steam, but I do think that psychologically it will be difficult for them and Norwich if we win this weekend and they don’t. Fact is, all we can do is win our games and hope they don’t. At least we’ve made a fight of it now.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Cheers for the update Bris. Your updates do belong on this blog mate. You created the league for people on the blog ffs! ?
Shamrock(Quote)
Good to see Shteves Shcitty putting up a fight of it at the end! Not going to win the points league or the head 2 head, but chance of 4th and 2nd in those and top 4 finish guaranteed in the cup! 🙂
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I rhink Sunderland are done kudging by Sam’s constant talking about Newcastle. Sounds to me like he is not confident of getting a lot of points so is trying the mind games to slow us down – except his mind games are pish poor and just make him and his team look desparate. 60%.
Shamrock(Quote)
What is simple though is that if we beat a **** Villa and a demoralised Spurs, then Norwich would have to win all 3 OR Sunderland would have to win 2 and draw one for us to go down. If we do win both of ours and either of those clubs do that, then nuff respect to them. But we just have to hope our boys can do what’s required, starting with doing Villa at the weekend. Who knows, it could be all over before the final weekend if we do that and get lucky!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Sunderland run out of steam? They never had any steam, man! 2 wins in 14!!!
Stuart79(Quote)
Yeah, so the only way they can get 2 wins and a draw is because the clubs they’re playing have completely run out of steam themselves. I’m hoping they find some fight though.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I wonder if Leicester winning the league might inspire more foreign billionaires to invest in PL clubs.
Previously there was only 2 or 3 clubs able to win the league, which could have put those billionaires off.
But Leicester have proven any club can do it now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just done a little question and answer session with a Villa blog and he said he’d be amazed if we didn’t win. He said Villa are “utter garbage and Eric Black has made them even worse!” Oh and we shouldn’t worry about not winning! Here’s hoping…
Stuart79(Quote)
Sunderland are the draw specialists but I think it’s a loss against Chelsea and even more pressure on them. Norwich look like they’re feeling it as well. It’s good to see. Meanwhile Rafa has our lot rounding into form at last! 😀
GeordieTwo(Quote)
One thing I do get concerned about is playing too much long ball to an isolated Cisse. He just doesn’t have the hold up skills and he’s usually outnumbered. To me it just doesn’t make sense but Rafa knows best!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
This is when we pay Villa back for that last relegation. They certainly enjoyed it. Let’s enjoy rubbing their noses in it now with a good display and a win.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Shamrock you got off the fence and are firmly in Stuarts back yard at 60%. I am still 50% on the Stuart-O-Meter. If they suspend Dembele that might get me to 51%.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Will Chelsea turn up???
Icedog(Quote)
I worry about using Wijnaldum away from home as well. He just disappears.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yes they will ice mate. Gus will have them ready for it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Yes Eric. Sam just sounds too desparate. He is clutching at strawers whilst Rafa quietly goes about his business. Norwich ate quiet though. They might put up more of a fight than Sunderland yet… Based on form, fixtures and how desparate Sam sounds – if I had to make a decision rigjt now I would back us to stay up – but that might yet all go to rat sh&& this Saturday!
Shamrock(Quote)
Yeah Shamrock, Allardyce is acting really weird. Some of the things he says just don’t make any sense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Thanks for the post TDS. Well, we’ll see who has enough left in the tank. I think it will be us. Rafa has our better players back to where they should be for the most part. Sam has Dafoe but we have several players who can make a difference. I think Norwich are just not up to the fight either.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Oh and he thinks we will win 1-3
Stuart79(Quote)
No mind games from Rafa. He just has his horse galloping down the final straight and Allardyce is pulling his hair out and doesn’t know what to do.
Allardyce is like an angry white van man and Rafa is like a cool mafia boss.
DJG(Quote)
Canny analogy.
Stuart79(Quote)
Chelsea are quite a big team. I don’t think Sunderland have the finesse of Tottenham to score the sort of goals Tottenham did against them, unless they can get Defoe in. There’s no way Terry, Costa, Ivanovic etc. will be bullied at SOL but who knows what Big Sam will do, or even what tricks they will try to pull. Everton are more of a worry defensively but they score goals also so if Allardyce goes for it in the ‘must win’ game in hand then it could go either way. We can’t rely on Everton & Watford though, just like Sunderland couldn’t rely on Palace. Although Palace are on worse form than those two.
DJG(Quote)
Everton do have one of the best away records in the league so I really don’t believe it will be the easiest of games in hand Sunderland will ever have.
Stuart79(Quote)
If we could pick Watford, Everton or Villa, we definitely have the best game. I hope our fans get back from Villa safely though and people are sensible. It is gonna be a big protest already without us fanning the flames. 😆
DJG(Quote)
Yes and our fixture as come on the same day that Sunderland and Norwich have their hardest. The results on Saturday could very well make their games in hand completely different games. How will they both react if it’s no longer in their hands?
Stuart79(Quote)
The also have an excellent record at sunderland. Sure they beat them 5-1 this season at goodison
Gashley(Quote)
Norwich won at OT earlier in the season, so I reckon manure will want some pay back time.
DJG(Quote)
And Man Utd need to win to try and get in top 4.
Stuart79(Quote)
There’s a lot of little sub-plots because Man City have the CL and who knows what mood they will be in after that? Man U will want to put pressure on them for when they face Arsenal as City are the team they can realistically catch for CL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – there’s also the fact Pell won’t be at City next season, so will he really be arsed if they don’t finish in CL places this season?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
There will be plenty of funny results yet. I mean Sunderland might even get a draw on Saturday and next Wednesday.
Stuart79(Quote)
Had the nightmare last night of watching the 7th and 8th goals going into our net on Saturday. Woke up covered in sweat!
2pts each for the scum and norwich! Bobby Madeley at Villa. What could go wrong? Head all over the place!
Georgio(Quote)