Stunner at St James’! Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal.

Tiote celebrates his amazing equaliser!
Simply stunning! Two words to describe events at St James’ Park this afternoon as Newcastle made history against Arsenal.

The Premier League served up another one of it’s classics, and believe me this one will be up there with the very best of them.

Many questions had been raised before kick-off regarding how the team would cope without Carroll, and without the immediate aftermath of his departure to Liverpool. Of course we lost against Fulham in midweek, and anxious punters were waiting to see whether that was to be a blip or sign of things to come.

With Shola Ameobi out injured, the responsibility to score goals fell to a front pair of Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands. Hardly inspiring was the thought of many. Cheik Tiote was welcomed back with open arms after serving his three game suspension, and was subsequently returned to his central midfield position.

Those looking for a reaction got one within the first minute of the match, but it wasn’t the reaction that many had hoped for. A hopeful punt front back to front was misjudged by the Newcastle defence and allowed Theo Walcott to finish smartly past Steve Harper.

It got worse a minute or so later when Johan Djorou scored his first goal for Arsenal when he headed goalwards from an Andrei Arshavin free kick. The header was of such quality that it left Steve Harper with no chance. 2-0 down within the first three minutes.

Newcastle seemed deflated having found themselves two goals down so quickly, but things were to get worse, much worse. Walcott created a third for Arsenal which Robin van Persie finished, and the Dutchman made it 4-0 on 26 minutes when he headed in a Bacary Sagna cross. Newcastle were chasing shadows throughout the first half and in reality it was a question of how many more we were going to concede.

Damage limitations would surely be on the agenda and the old cliche of ‘winning the second half’ would probably have been said during the half-time interval, along with other choice words I would assume.

Newcastle improved in the second half and started to show some fight and desire. It was all I was personally looking for as I never expected us to get much from a game that we were losing 4-0. The balance of power shifted slightly on 50 minutes though when Abou Diaby – the tosspot who bullied Hatem Ben Arfa at Clairefontaine – saw red for lashing out at Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan. Perhaps we could get a consolation goal after all?

Danny Simpson went close soon after but was denied by Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. Newcastle continued to impress though and took the game to Arsenal.

The home side had to wait until 68 minutes to make a breakthrough after Laurent Koscielny brought down Leon Best in the penalty area. Joey Barton duly dispatched the spot-kick to give the home side the consolation that their play deserved.

Leon Best reduced the deficit on 75 minutes before Arsenal conceded another penalty in the 83rd minute which Joey Barton again dispatched to set up a grandstand finish. It could be construed as being a soft penalty, but it balances out Leon Best’s disallowed goal that should have stood. Incidentally there is no mention of that on the Arsenal website.

Pegging it back to 4-3 was something that was beyond my wildest dreams at half-time, but here we were with seven minutes plus stoppage time to play and with our team firmly in the ascendancy. Could Newcastle really make history and become the first team ever to overturn a four-goal deficit in a Premier League match?

Cheik Tiote provided the answer to that on 87 minutes when he volleyed into the bottom corner of the Gallowgate net from fully 30-yards to spark scenes of mass celebration in the home end and scenes of mass faces looking like smacked bottom’s in the away end.

Unbelievably the home side could have won the game in stoppage time through Kevin Nolan who drove his shot wide, and then from Nile Ranger who was denied by some brave goalkeeping from the Arsenal stopper.

Andy who?

I’d have been chuffed with a point against Arsenal to start with, but I am practically doing naked cartwheels with this result. To come from four goals down showed immense character and determination. Put simply, if we keep on doing that then we will be fine.

History was made today, and it was made without Andy Carroll!

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton, Cheik Tiote, Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands.

Subs: Tim Krul, James Perch, Sol Campbell, Shane Ferguson, Danny Guthrie, Michael Richardson, Nile Ranger.

Arsenal: Wojniech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Johan Djourou, Laurent Koscielny, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin, Robin van Persie.

Subs: Manuel Almunia, Emmanuel Eboue, Kieron Gibbs, Sebastien Squillaci, Tomas Rosicky, Nikolas Bendtner, Marouane Chamakh.

Attendance: 51,561.

Referee: Phil Dowd.

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

91 thoughts on “Stunner at St James’! Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal.

  1. Wenger can never take a decision on the chin he always has point the finger somewhere and try and deflect the heat from his players. Very annoying. Abou was out to get Joey before that incident. He had a wild lunge at him in the first half. Joey’s the bigger man he got up after it the first incident and shook his hand.

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  2. Just watching Soccer Saturday back and their taking the **** being sarcastic saying we onoly need 4 goals to get something out of the game!

    Very funny in hindsight.

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  3. Just got back from match, great atmosphere today, fans definatly help the team get back in it. Tiote was class again, lets hope he not the next player to be sold. Also ranger must in with a shout of starting next game, he changed the game when he cam on.

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  4. 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆

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  5. and to those who f*cked off at 4 nowt down 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆

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  6. Haven’t been back long, but what a game. Well done to the lads who stuck it out and kept on going. Should have just nicked it really. What an amazing goal by Tiote, never seen anything like it.

    This reall was better than the two Liverpool 4-3 games.

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  7. As the commentator said today, “supporting Newcastle should come with a health warnng.”

    At this rate we’ll all be dead by the end of next season

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  8. Bet ya glad you didn’t tho Stu, still buzzin, this should set us up nicely for the next few games, well done the players and the crowd was fantastic.

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  9. Rich – In a weird sort of way I feel a little bit robbed because we only got one point for it. That deserved three points.

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  10. I wonder if those people, who may not be on this site, that were hammering pardew at four down will praise him now? :Shock:

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  11. toonsy
    Posted February 5, 2011 at 6:54 PM
    I wonder if those people, who may not be on this site, that were hammering pardew at four down will praise him now? :Shock:

    Been looking on Worky’s blog and he was having a go at Pardew, giving it all the “I did try telling people about Pardew but nobody would listen”. Typical Worky really.

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  12. Stuart…..funny you should say that, I’d said to the lad who sits next to me that I’d be a little dissapointed with a draw such was the way we were playing, there was only one team going to win that game. Arsenal heads dropped when we scored our first. The crowd were deafening, Arsenal fans seemed a little bit quiet secand half though! 😆

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  13. Rich – Arsenal just seemed to freeze. It really was astonishing to see them shrink.

    If the game had of gone on for a further 5 minutes we’d have won it.

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  14. ILM

    He questioned the consistency of refereeing in the match, said Nolan should have been sent off for taking down their goalie and in the end called Phil Dowd a joke…

    Apparently he has deleted his twitter account

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  15. Aye Stuart, it was great to watch them crumble 😆

    ILM….Wilshire did nowt but whinge and moan all the way through the game…I dare say that’s what he was doing on Twitter 😀

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  16. toonsy
    Posted February 5, 2011 at 6:54 PM
    I wonder if those people, who may not be on this site, that were hammering pardew at four down will praise him now? :Shock:

    Toonsy spot on he mightn’t be our 1st choice but he deserves credit 😉

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  17. Brilliant comeback still havnt decided what was better Tiote’s goal or terrific celebration HWTL (anyone else see Steve Harper’s WWF elbow drop during celebration) great day for the toon

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  18. Harper’s gonna cringe when he sees that 😆 ……like he’s bothered….and still buzzin 😀

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  19. That’s the first time I’ve seen it and kin el what a goal by Tiote, and he hit it with his lesser left foot too ! Man I’m so happy we have the guy. His goal celebration was immense too..run forrest run….!

    For you guys who were at the game today, congratulations, that game will never be forgotten. Brilliant, well done the lads !!

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  20. Have to say that although I’m critical of the nature of some of our fans, the vast majority of them were exceptional today. Tuff **** for the chumps who walked out. That’s something I’ve never got, but then I suppose its their money I guess

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  21. Dave… can barely speak, atmosphere was cracking 2nd half, maybe even topped the 5under1and game at times…..I’m waiting for the old “arsenal only had 10 men” coming out but I’ve seen a few games when Arsenal were down to 10 and have still played the opposition off the park. Amazing character, fantastic spirit. F*ckin awesome 😀

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  22. Must admit with the family around I tried to get link, finally got one going, 2-0 down 30 secods later I see the goal top 3-0 down and say Sod it. I’m playing with the little un. Saw the last 10 minutes though. What a screamer. 😆

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  23. You can count on me, Munich. If we’re going to sell we may as well get top dollar.

    Cannot wait until MOTD. Football first is on first like but it takes too long to get the second half.

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  24. Dead right Stu…everyone knows about wor Tiote now !

    The whole Geordier nation are waiting for MOTD tonight I would imagine !

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  25. We must be realistic though and not let the come back paper over certain things, I thought our centre halves were pretty poor today, especially Williamson, he had a bad day at the office,

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  26. I have arsenal fans texting me saying ”yeah well Phil Thompson said we were hard doen by”

    HAHAHAHAHAHA the puffters, they shat themselves and should be ashamed.

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  27. Today Simpson showed what he is capable of. He set the tempo with his attacking play in the second half.

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  28. Moreno, even down to 10 men, a team like Arsenal should be capable of retaining a 4-0 lead. But it only goes to show when you play with heart and spirit anything can be achieved, and we did it today..

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  29. ET – Agreed. I actually think that Simpson has made the right-back place his own since he came back through injury. Granted he is not perfect and sometimes backs off players, but overall I have been very impressed with considering he was one of the players I had doubts about.

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  30. Just shows that MAYBE, just maybe, Pardew does have the support of the lads.

    I thought Best did really well, when he had the ball controlled at his feet.
    Can honestly say i have never seen a worse header of the ball though! lmao

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  31. Right, fantastic evening lads…

    Didn’t want to leave move from Worky’s blog out of loyalty, but f… it, he’s a … Between him and Chuck kissing each others @rse i just can’t stand it anymore… haha

    Anyway.

    So, looks like our lads still have that fighting spirit Hughton started afterall…

    I’m starting to think, its less the influence of the manager and more the influence of players like Barton and Nolan that have this team fired up…

    Which is fantastic to see. No matter who is in charge, as long as we keep those guys spirits up, they’ll keep the rest of the lads spirits high.

    Everyone fought tooth and nail for the club tonight in the bleakest of situations. And they deserve all the credit they get.

    To the fans who walked out at half time… I hope your ashamed…

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  32. El Toro I like young Simpson and I do think he got a lot of stick that he didn’t deserve when CH played him while carrying an injury in the 2nd half of last season.
    Toonsy where’s the emoticons

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  33. JJ

    Worky has made that site intolerable for me. His pathetic worship of Hughton does my nut in.

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  34. El Toro

    I think Simpson is getting better and better every game… Much like Enrique last season.
    To me all he needs is us to sign another young up and coming right back to keep him on his toes fighting for a place.

    I’m very happy with our back six despite a rough one today…

    ———————————————HARPER——————————————-

    SIMPSON————WILLO/TAYLOR——COLOCCINI————ENRIQUE

    ————————————————TIOTE——————————————–

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  35. Big Dave

    That wasn’t Hughton that played Simpson through injury, mate. It was Pardew in a Hughton costume. Hughton would never do anything like that. He is without flaws, you know?
    😆

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  36. Hey Dave,

    Fancy meeting you here… hahaha… us two “racist” b@stards… (according to Worky + Chuck), Toonsy had better keep a sharp eye on us…

    Good to see all the old names on here. Feels like home again…

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  37. Donachie is an extremely experienced full back on so many levels. Its no coincidence our full backs are getting stronger since he was promoted

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  38. Also, I must say.

    I think Best is better than Ameobi. Not much, but he puts in far more effort, he holds it up decently, he makes good runs.
    I just wish he had a bit more ability in the air. But he certainly isnt terrible.

    Still its an area we need to invest in come the summer transfer window.
    I can’t see us not picking up 9 points from the remaining games.

    And if that 35mil does bring in three or four quality players. I say good deal and the future still looks bright.

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  39. Welcome along JJ. Can’t believe you weren’t even going to pop across and say hi. ******! 😉

    Where is iceslut by the way? ❓

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  40. The toon spirit was there for all to see in the second half, and if that was awoken by Pardew during his half time rant then well done to him….he obviously got lucky today.

    There seems to be a tendency to give the main role for the toon spirit to JB and Nolan, but we have other strong characters in the team, Tiote, Enrique, Collocini, Guitarrez. They all deserve praise.

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  41. Toonsy, I guess I’m loyal to the last, even if I get treated like sh#t…

    Guess its why I’m still a Toon fan 😉

    Pretty sweet layout on the blog, nice job… every thought about a scrolling Twitter feed with Newcastle United related comments?

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  42. The crowd were vital today. That was fantastic support. My mate just text me saying how he couldn’t believe how supportive the crowd were at 4-0.

    JJ

    Best was good today, but he was horrific at Fulham. That may have been down to he and Ranger playing together for the first time though.

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  43. Munich Mag,

    Your quite right, the squad has terrific character and fight… but I just see it more so in Joey and Kevin… I think the other players feed off them.

    Tiote is just an outstanding player…

    To me, in Coloccini, Enrique, Tiote, Barton, Ben Arfa… we have FIVE world class players that wouldn’t look out of place in a top four side…

    Then in Harper, Simpson, Taylor, Nolan, Jonas, Gosling – solid premiership players.

    With Ranger, Vuckic, Kadar – three top youths.

    Plus 35MIL to spend in the summer…
    add the value of possible sales: Routeledge, Smith, R Taylor, Perch, Xisco etc…

    Far from a club in crisis despite the blow of Carroll…

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  44. JJ – I have actually, and it can be done easily, but I have other things to get sorted first. It’s on my shitlist though 🙂

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  45. batty…if your off daan saarf to visit the gooners, why not call in at the guvnor’s too !?

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