Three points is three points of course, and courtesy of Demba Ba’s fourth goal of the season midway through the first half those three points were registered in our favour, but there needs to be some serious improvement in our performances.
The upshot of it is that we are now one point off where we were at this stage last season having played three of the top seven sides from last term, two of which have been away from home. Granted our performances haven’t exactly been free-flowing, but we’ve also had to do that whilst balancing Europa League commitments and having a fair amount of key players out through injury. Not a justification but food for thought all the same…
After naming a largely second string side in Europe on Thursday night, Alan Pardew brought back the big hitters whilst he served the second game of his two game ban. Yohan Cabaye returned, as did Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa and Vurnon Anita. Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse were paired together in attack, with the latter of the two able to breath a huge sigh of relief at the full time whistle!
It was the visitors who started the game brightly and created the first chance of the game. Wes Hoolahan met a Javier Garrido cross with his head only to see Steven Taylor deflect the ball behind for a corner.
However despite the bright start Norwich made they were undone by a moment of quality after twenty minutes as Hatem Ben Arfa teased the ball through for Demba Ba to fire past John Ruddy from the edge of the area. A great assist by the Frenchman and an equally cool finish from Ba.
Norwich were almost level minutes later courtesy of a Robert Snodgrass header, but Mike Williamson was perfectly positioned on the line to clear the ball away from danger and ensure United’s narrow lead remained intact.
The home side then showed some urgency in the final few minutes of the first half and applied some pressure to Norwich without really threatening. That was until Mike Williamson was barged in the back by Steve Morison leaving referee Neil Swarbrick little option but to award a penalty to the home side on the stroke of half-time.
After discussion between Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez it was decided that Papiss Cisse was to take the penalty. With the Senegal international still to get off the mark this season it was a decent gesture, but I would suggest sentiment should be put to one side when games are still there to be won. Up stepped Cisse who ballooned the ball high and wide in much the same way he did against Olympiakos in pre-season.
Half-time: Newcastle 1-0 Norwich
The visitors could have equalised once more right at the start of the second half but Steve Harper was alert to the danger and came off his line early to block and Andrew Surman effort after he was played through on goal by Wes Hoolahan.
Norwich continued to press for an equaliser without really threatening the United goal. Davide Santon nodded away again although it looked to me as though the initial header was dropping wide. Better safe than sorry though I guess. Meanwhile at the other end Hatem Ben Arfa stung John Ruddy’s palms with an effort from 25 yards out whilst Papiss Cisse headed over the bar before firing straight at Ruddy after being played in by James Perch. Mike Williamson, a threat at set-pieces all game, also forced a save from Ruddy.
The closest Norwich could come to an equaliser was via a deflected cross into the box which nearly found its way into the path of Simeon Jackson but the Canadian was thwarted by Steve Harper who took a kick for the team.
Ultimately the game petered out and Newcastle did enough to secure the three points, but it was only just enough and we’ll need to be more convincing in future games if we are to try and repeat the success of last season.
Full-time: Newcastle 1-0 Norwich
As a final note, our penalty taking needs sorting. I actually don;t have faith in anyone aside from Shola Ameobi from the penalty spot. It’s all well and good just seeing who is up for it at the time, Arsenal used to do something similar in their invincible days, but that miss by Papiss Cisse could have really cost us in the end.
Oh and just one more thing. Hopefully Troy Stavers had an excellent day yesterday, as did his son who was mascot for the day. I hope you all enjoyed it!
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Steve Harper, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor, Davide Santon, Hatem Ben Arfa, Vurnon Anita, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba.
Subs: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Gael Bigirimana, Cheick Tiote, Sammy Ameobi, Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi.
Norwich City: John Ruddy, Russell Martin, Sebastien Bassong, Leon Barnett, Javier Garrido, Robert Snodgrass, Bradley Johnson, Jonny Howson, Andrew Surman, Wes Hoolahan, Steve Morison
Subs: Mark Bunn, Michael Turner, Ryan Bennett, Alexander Tettey, Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt, Simeon Jackson.
Attendance: 49,402
Good to see the referee on wednesday night is local mancunian Anthony Taylor. 👿
will be absolutely no bias there of course 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
BB maybe he’s a blue 😉
Dubtoon(Quote)
I think without playing particularly well, what we have had in these last two seasons is a striker scoring goals regularly. Unfortunately when one starts scoring the other doesn’t seem to hit a barn door with a banjo. I don’t know why they can’t both score. But the fact that we have had a regular goalscorer is critical to any team at any level. I think it’s been more down to luck and good scouting rather than anything else. We do seem to be a work in progress at the moment – if we get all of our best players fit and playing regularly it will start to click a bit more.
DJG(Quote)
Dub
Here’s hoping 😉
Andymag(Quote)
SOLANOSTRUMPET @62
I just think Villa played out of their skin that day as well which just can’t be helped sometimes. We are now a side that teams are going to give more respect. Remember when we had just come up, they probably didn’t expect much from us and what happened, they got thumped 6-0.
I think this season has started different from last season, last season there were loads of teams that were quite level at the bottom and loads of teams chasing 4th and it was a really even league. This year it looks like there might be a group of teams that really struggle and are down there fighting relegation, and teams that just pull away at the top. I think the gap between bottom and top will be a lot bigger this season. Last season was a bit of a freak season tbh, it looks like normal service is resumed now.
DJG(Quote)
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Cheers Toonsy.. Absolutely incredible day! Young Chip had the time of his life though was gutted when he saw MOTD.
He was told if he walked out with the captain, Jonas, he would have more chance of being on TV.
All you could see was a brief glimpse of his blonde mop.
It’s all on video for posterity though.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
LFC say “Martin Kelly out of action for a significant period of time after scans revealed he suffered an ACL rupture of his right knee.”
@philmcnulty 7 hours ago
I bet a certain Mr ‘Henry K’ is relieved at that. He has really struggled to get a game, with Johnson being preferred at LB. Have to think Rodgers will move Johnson back to RB and play Enrique next week, if he’s still in a job… 😛
DJG(Quote)
for christ sake !!!cisse cant play in your bloomin “reserve side” cos we havent got a reserve team or lg anymore! he would look rather silly playing with the under 21s as its against the rules……i wish people would learn about thier own club before making silly comments. no wonder blog sites are giving false info to people …rant over, no offence to anyone i just get a bit angry at times as we all do when people havent a clue .i bet fergy abaied tav sammi maybe harris v are in squad wed and collos gota make it.lets get behind our players its gona be tough on wed so positive thinking all with tiote back things looking good
stevo(Quote)
Troy, tell young Chip that he got plenty of air time In Australia. The footage started as they were lining up in the tunnel…… tell the lad t get a hair cut as he looked like cousin it 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
aussie magpie fan(Quote)
Amf…same here. I didnt know which one he was though
MDS(Quote)
MDS, He was with Jonas mate..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Ahhh. Cheers, then I did see him.
MDS(Quote)
Andymag says:
September 24, 2012 at 22:06
BB
Scumbag should just be locked up. Thought I heard a while back that Ranger had a clause in his contract that meant if he went to jail or something the contract would be terminated.
Andy
Yeah, I think you’re right. Apparently the standard premier league contract (which I assume is what Ranger has got) does contain a clause which states that the player’s employment can be terminated if he received a prison sentence of 3 months or more.
This latest incident (which I think just involves some damage to the front door of his ex girlfriend’s place) doesn’t sound to me like the kind of thing that he’d end up being sent to jail for. However, that other case at Newcastle Crown Court (where he’s being charged with two counts of assault and two of assault occasioning actual bodily harm) is obviously a lot more serious, and certainly could involve a prison sentence. What makes that one even worse is that two of his alleged victims were police officers 😯 so I doubt whether the court will feel very inclined to be lenient with him. What a shame 😆
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/11/03/nile-ranger-to-face-court-over-assault-charges-72703-29712773/
Chris G(Quote)
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@Aussie
You try telling him to get his hair cut.
Apparently it’s trendy to look like cousin It. 😆
Troy Stavers(Quote)
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He says Jonas was rapping in his boxer shorts with headphones on when he walked in the changing room.
He managed to sneak Cabayes under crackers out the changing room. Ive been wearing them but They are a bit loose around the crotch 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I can’t really comment when it comes trendiness Troy 😯 😆
We dress like this fella around these parts….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0XPdpg-6nw
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
How your kid get on Troy? I bet he had a great time!
Johno Toon(Quote)
Stevo @ 83
What the friggin hell you going on about, you stupid numpty. Try reading what people wrote about the ressies in previous posts before jumping in with both feet and making a complete **** of yourself with your pathetic rant. 😳 😳 😳 😳
Also we dont need YOU to tell us to get behind our team, when we already are.
The whole point of the blog is to discuss how we feel about our club, the good and the bad. This doesn’t make us right or wrong about what we say or think about certain instances. for example. Cisse’s poor run of form.
Perhaps you need to go onto Ed’s blog where they are far more immature and deffinitely need telt to “get behind the team”.
😈
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Rant over 😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy it looked like you’s all had a super day and one that Chip will remember for the rest of his life.
I take it then you never got close enough to Lambastad ? As I never heard owt on the news 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
BB, did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? 😯 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
BB do you feel better now that you got that of your chest 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Aussie I think poor BB must of had a sleepless night 😆 he is normally so polite too 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
BD 😆 maybe a knock back from his missus thrown in there as well I reckon 😆 😆
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
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Aye . Absolutely incredible day, for me as well as Chip. 😉
Aussie I prefer Dungers assistant in the bikini. 🙂
To be fair to all the players they were very friendly and approachable.
It’s a surreal feeling standing at the tunnel speaking to them running out onto the pitch.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Aussie you could be on to something there 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
🙄 😯
😆
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
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