The victory means that we stay in 15th place in the league but we now have a six point cushion over the relegation spaces which gives us some much needed breathing space.
It’s also the first time under Alan Pardew that we’ve come from behind to win a match and if we show the same desire, intensity and quality throughout the rest of the season I have no doubt that we’ll soon start creeping up the league and we can start forgetting about relegation and perhaps start looking towards finishing in the top-half of the table, something which would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago.
Our new signings have done the business so far and they have made a difference. Yoan Gouffran was excellent today, full of running and tricks giving us an outlet in attack but the main praise has to go to Moussa Sissoko. The former Toulouse man was outstanding and whilst people laughed when I pointed out that some had compared him to Patrick Viera I’m at least hoping they are starting to see why that comparison was made by those in the know.
Newcastle started off brightly and imposed their authority on the game without really creating much in front of goal. The tide of the game levelled out though soon afterwards as both sides struggled to create chances. The home side undoubtedly had the best of them though with Papiss Cisse wasting a couple of chances and Yohan Cabaye threatening from distance.
Demba Ba, on his first return since his move from Tyneside to Chelsea, had a miserable day. His only real chance fell when he shot at Tim Krul and headed the parry wide, and he got a broken nose for his efforts and was withdrawn shortly afterwards. However he departed the field after witnessing his new side fall behind. Yohan Cabaye fed Davide Santon on the left and the Italian crossed for Jonas Gutierrez to head home for his first goal in just under a year.
On balance of play United deserved the lead. Chelsea could only muster one shot at goal while the home side managed much more and could have perhaps been more than one goal to the good as the half-time whistle blew.
Half-time: Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea came back into things with a bang in the second-half though, whether it be down to a rocket up the backside from Rafa Benitez or an inability from our side to get started in the second period, but the away side drew themselves level with their second attempt at goal as Frank Lampard fired an unstoppable shot past Tim Krul from 25 yards.
That was on 55 minutes and by 66 minutes the home side found themselves behind courtesy of another goal of superb quality, scored this time by Juan Mata who curled the ball round Krul leaving the Dutchman with no chance of making the save.
At that particular moment I had a familiar feeling and thought we’d end up with nothing from a game which has started off so well for us. However Moussa Sissoko had other ideas and restored parity by marking his home debut with a goal just five minutes later. Papiss Cisse set Yoan Gouffran free on goal only for Petr Cech to block the shot from the former Bordeaux man. Fortunately it fell to Moussa Sissoko who was following up and slotted the ball into an empty net.
The game ebbed and flowed from then on with both sides looking likely to snatch three points. My personal highlight though was again from Sissoko who chased down a long ball forward and beat Ashley Cole in a sprint over a 30-yard chase which saw the Frenchman’s shot at goal tipped wide by Cech.
Sissoko was not to be denied though and just a minute from time he sealed the three points driving home low past Petr Cech after Santon’s perfectly weighted pass.
Chelsea tried for an equaliser and Steven Taylor put a part of his body on the line he’d probably rather have not used to block a late effort from Frank Lampard, but it epitomised our spirit and in the end, possibly being a bit biased but I personally don’t think so, we deserved to take the three points.
Full-time: Newcastle 3-2 Chelsea
I expected nothing from the game today so to grab the win was an absolute bonus as far as I’m concerned. This team will be nowhere near relegation providing they can keep this up and stay injury free, and with Hatem Ben Arfa to come back into the fray things can only get better in an attacking sense.
It was a team effort today, but Moussa Sissoko stood out. For £1.8 million we’ve grabbed a stunning bargain and I’m glad we brought him in now rather than waiting for the summer. He looks a class act already.
The scenes immediately after Sissoko grabbed the winner were brilliant also. All players and manager celebrating together with Alan Pardew central to the celebration. From that alone I think the rumours that he had “lost the dressing room” can be put safely to bed.
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; James Perch, Yohan Cabaye; Yoan Gouffran, Moussa Sissoko, Jonas Gutierrez: Papiss Cisse
Subs: Rob Elliot, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Gael Bigirimana, Vurnon Anita, Sylvain Marveaux, Gabriel Obertan, Shola Ameobi
Chelsea: Petr Cech; Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Ashley Cole; Ramires, Frank Lampard; Oscar, Juan Mata, Ryan Bertand; Demba Ba
Subs: Ross Turnbull, Paulo Ferreira, Cesar Azpilicueta, Nathan Ake, Yossi Benayoun, Marko Marin, Fernando Torres
Attendance: 52,314
One of the best things about the result is rather than noting that we’re six points away from the relegation spot, we find ourselves looking up to see we are just three points from the top half 😎 .
andymag(Quote)
1st!
geoff(Quote)
Nice review Toonsy .I’m a happy bunny tonight ,a great spirited performance from all concerned .We just beat Chelsea Champions of Europe for goodness sake ,just wish we could do it to lesser teams too. 😉 . Next up Spuds ,can we get another away win ,lets hope so ,onwards and upwards.
Sissoko ,what a player ,new Toon hero I reckon.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Great win and that man Sissoko was superb……………………….possibly our best signing since Shearer, and there’s been some good players in since then!
I can certainly see Viera in him……………………big and strong on the ball, great passer and he scores goals…………just hope we can hold on to him!
Toony(Quote)
Looks like Fulham forgot to pay the electric bill!
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Demba Ba, limping home to London, with his bloodyed nose, like the wife-cheating, back-stabbing, money-grabbing, selfish, tw## that he is…is the highlight for me. 😈 Bet he thought he would turn up and chin us, 😉 well we did better than that today, we stood up and said NO. This is the day this club woke up from a coma. Well done everybody. Now we have a MOTD to watch and fell proud of as the country watches. Lets now go on and get a respectable finish. One last point, I said don’t write off the signing of Gouffran… well I rate him highly and I think he is a good forward. Goalscoring isn’t everything, you need somebody to drive you forward and make them in the first place. 😉
DJG(Quote)
Amazing Alliteration! Good review, cheers Toonsy. 🙂
Wellington(Quote)
Reckon it’s a bit soon to claim Sissoko is the best signing since shearer after two games. Granted he has been immense but we’ll have to wait till at least the end of the season to have a proper review of him.
Andymag(Quote)
Toonsy good read mate as there hasn’t been too many this season, so hope to see a few more 😉
I love it when you can be really proud of your team 😀
Kim hope all goes well for Lewis
Big Dave(Quote)
It’s great to be at sjp on days like this. I was saying that at 2.45, win, lose or draw.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Wellington @7 ,here’s another for you ,we’re ‘ pleased as punch ‘ 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
A bit pished now and with hindsight maybe watching the match in town in a restaurant come bar wasn’t the best place to watch the match as I had to apologise in 3 languages when the 3rd went in 😆 but all I can say is woooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooo…proud to be a Geordie? fukn **** right
richietoon(Quote)
Dave ,cheers.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Slightly in contrast to my post a bit earlier but I see Sissoko is already being claimed (by neutrals) as rivalling Michu for signing of the season.
Andymag(Quote)
Richie
Why three languages? Spanish, English and …
Andymag(Quote)
Andy @15 and Geordie 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
Andy…German, there was a few in there 😉
Kim…Just reading thru comments on last thread, hope all goes tickety boo with Lew’s op next week.
richietoon(Quote)
Kim….oh aye, 4 languages then 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Toony@4-I think Ash just hopes we make a big profit on him! But he does look absolutely class so far, finally someone who can drive forward with the ball, run around and fight for the ball, shoot from distance or break into the box. I can’t remember when we last had a midfielder like that. Speed?
Newkie(Quote)
RICHIETOON @12
Been there before mate. Foreigners look at you and think your an absolute
lunatic, naturally the EPL means very little over there. It’s like watching golf or something to them. 🙂
DJG(Quote)
Richie ,thanks ,hopeing it goes ahead as mentally prepared myself to let him go under the gas again now 🙄 will hate to have to wait again. 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
If Sissoko carries on in this vane he will be worth mega bucks and then it will be hard to keep hold of him 🙁
KIMTOON(Quote)
DJG…Aye mate, even the Brits seemed more interested in the rugby on the other tv, still 3 points…and of Chelsea and came from behind too, don’t mind looking like an idiot for that
richietoon(Quote)
Wow, Everton 3 – Aston Villa 3! .. Just shows how hard this league is when your struggling IMO.
DJG(Quote)
Big Dave
February 2, 2013 at 18:44
“Toonsy good read mate as there hasn’t been too many this season, so hope to see a few more”
Cheeky fcuker. They are all good reads, just with bad news mostly 😉
toonsy(Quote)
As much as gouffers had a very good game, marv came on and looked class.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Kim…Aye, it’s not easy when you prepare for something as important as that only for it to be changed, fingers crossed it goes ahead.
Toonsy@25 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Defence were excellent and proved me wrong today. Cabaye was undoubtedly motm. If I had to pick fault, and I do because you look to identify your faults in order to improve, our midfield gave Mata and lampard far too much space for 20 minutes in each half. Jonas was much better today. Perch wasn’t at the same level.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Talking to my chelsea mate now, he’s absolutely Livid
He’s mentioning a Cisse throat grab though, did anyone else catch that? I missed it, if it happened 😕
Newkie(Quote)
Kim and Richie @16,18
😆
Andymag(Quote)
Cabbaye was magnificent. Amongst a midfield galaxy of international players he was the numero une.
What did the Ramires challenge on TV look like. From my seat it looked a straight red but Webb bottled it.
Toby le Rhone(Quote)
Toonsy 😀 fuk off you know what I mean 😆 😆
B+B what did you think of Pards game plan and tactics today ?
Richie it must be strange for them seeing Fester going mad 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave…Toonsy’s right, ya cheeky fecker 😆
richietoon(Quote)
What a cracking atmosphere and place to be today. Even the weather was just perfect. That’s why Im a season ticket holder for days like this. Reet, off to work. I’ll have to ask my Mackem colleague how his lot got on.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
TLR yeah Ramires has a lot to thank Webb for.
Newkie yeah Cisse did have a hand round one of their players throats I can’t remember who it was now
Big Dave(Quote)
Cabaye was good but I would have him third behind Moussa and Jonas.
Andymag(Quote)
sissoko was the one I wanted most too,RICHIE telling porkies he cannot talk with gob full which 99% of the time lol
icedog(Quote)
Dave-Cheers-Was it bad? Lucky not to get sent off if it was a proper grab I guess 😕
Newkie(Quote)
DAVE it was Cole mate,you got it right again but not the score,sorry only 8out 10 for that
icedog(Quote)
Buzzing after that result, amazing at St James Park today…electric atmosphere.
We dominated Chelsea in the first half, and massively impressed with the new guys so far.
Actually can’t wait for MOTD tonight for a change!
EvilFranky(Quote)
Ice 😥
Newkie..it was Cole I think, **** all really, wor lass does it to me all the time 😆
richietoon(Quote)
Dave – still can’t believe perch gets on before marv. Pards was clueless at times but don’t want to be too critical. He’s earned a break after that showing.
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Thought we played well today.
I’m glad people are now seeing why we needed a proper wing forward to replace Ba and not an out and out goalscorer. Look how much better we looked in the final 3rd today. Compare that to Chelsea, who looked rubbish when Ba was on. His link up play is awful and he struggles to bring their creative players into the game. They looked much better once Torres came on.
Cisse was rubbish in front of goal today, his movement and link up play were both class. The pass to Gouffran for Sissoko’s first. Would Ba have found that pass? Probably not.
The Kid(Quote)
I think the only reason perch is getting the nod ahead of others at the minute is because he is our only defensive midfielder (destroyer). When Tiote comes back i think he will be dropped.
Marv should be getting picked ahead of Jonas but i don’t see that happening, especially away at spurs next week.
Santii(Quote)
Steven Taylor played well in both halves today, which was good to see. However, Yanga M’Biwa needs to be playing and he’s not great at DM…
The Kid(Quote)
@ The Kid
Totally agree. Cisse’s link up play was immense today and that pass to Gouffran was some unbelievable tekkers 😀
Santii(Quote)
Ritchie 😆 Aye, some of us pay for that kind of treatment I suppose… 🙄
Still, the way refs are nowadays…
Newkie(Quote)
Why couldn’t Sissoko score first?! 18/1 he was!!!
Any great game, great result and I thought Pardew got it bang on.
Sure it’ll all be luck though according to some who won’t eat the big chunk of humble pie.
Stuart79(Quote)
Feel doubly sorry Ba ,a badly broken nose and booed by fans with short memories bet he wishes he had stayed to play in the same team as Sissoko Hope you get well soon Demba. But well done to the eleven players on the pitch,Cisse did not score but he had terry and cahill cacking every time they had the ball.Great game by every one in a black and white shirt I am 1 happy leazes ender,bring on the spuds. 😆
Tommy Gibb(Quote)
first time WEBB has not. stuck it up us makes a nice change thank god
icedog(Quote)
Won’t be long before M’biwa starts, he was out most expensive signing of the window for goodness sake. Defence all played well but Ashley will be in Pardew’s ear before long. Might force my 5 man defence though
.
Andymag(Quote)
Newkie yeah he grabbed him proper then caught on what he was doing and let go.
B+B I mentioned Perch but tbh the main one was Jonas, but he proved me wrong but as I said maybe the competition has made him up his game.
Ice well 8 outta 10 isn’t bad 😉
The Kid on Mbiwa maybe Pards wants to ease him in the sameway he did with Santon, or Maybe Saylor is showing he has something in training, and if he is then Pards could upset the applecart by just dropping him
Big Dave(Quote)
A brilliant performance from the toon in what was a thoroughly entertaining game. It staggering to believe that Newcastle haven’t come back from behind to win a game in 27 months but today we showed terrific battling qualities with some slick passing. Amazing what a few wins can do in terms of the league position and confidence!
People have got mixed opinions on Pardew but for me, he has got his tactics and team selection spot in the past few games along with helping the new players settle in. The was a fantastic team performance with everyone contributing against a dangerous Chelsea side. The board, scouting team and Pardew deserve full credit for the signings they have made during this window and I’m sure we’ll get the points we now need to survive; looks like we’ve yet again secured some real bargains in this window.
Needless to say that Sissokho was immense, not many attackers will outpace Ashley Cole!
Mihesh(Quote)
I have to say it’s a strange feeling debating about Mbiwa should get in ahead of Saylor. and Marv should be in ahead of Jonas etc etc then we’ll soon be adding Benny into the mix 😆 😆 😆
when you think back a few weeks and months ago we had been struggling to get some of our better players fit enough to play in the team 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
What a difference having a squad makes and by god have got one now , the new boys are incredible and have kicked the rest into gear too . When was the last time our lot had so much Pace Power and skill ,Sissko is from another planet ,Goofy scared the **** out of their defence Cisse did too ,Cabs ran the midfield and Jonas actually looked good the defence was solid .Their goals came out of nothing and were great bits of skill that just could not be defended .By god we have suddenly got a team too be right proud of again and HBA is still too come back too . Is this the season we do win something ? bring on the Europa League !!!! and before any one says i am getting carried away Chelsea are European champions ,lets all have a think aboot that
Axel(Quote)
Big Dave
I just hope Pardew doesn’t start feeling pressured and begin forcing Mapou into the side at DM, because he doesn’t shine there. Yes, he can do a job, but he’s a top class CB and should be playing at the heart of our back line.
.
The Kid(Quote)
Best we have played this season. We kept the ball down and passed and moved. Although he didn’t score I thought Cisse had a terrific game. I thought Jonas has been poor all season but he put in a good shift today. Still can’t beat a man anymore but full marks for effort. We were the better team today.
groucho(Quote)
Dave-Ahh right, did the ref see it? Will the F.A charge him post match 😕
Jonas did well today-not sure he was as excellent as some make out, or whether its excellent compared to what he has been all season (which he was, but that’s not exactly hard) He seemed to have a lot more energy, but his passing and crossing was still pretty awful imo.
Perch can do his job, but adds very little else, said that plenty of times. He picked up a very silly yellow when usually he’s good at keeping his head-perhaps just a sign of the nervous nature of our squad-esp after going 1-0 up. Trying to waste time in the first half like he was…pathetic really. Could Jonas do a better job there, ready for when Benny gets back? Or will Tiote just slot back in..Surprised Anita hasn’t come on more though
Newkie(Quote)
THE KID yeah but Colo can play DM and is good at it too , so heres a thought play mapou as CD bringing in pace and colo our captain as dm where he could have more influence at captaining the side Cabs and sissoko more advanced with goofy ,cisse and Hba the front 3
Axel(Quote)
Ecstatic. What a brilliant performance from everyone. SJP was jumping, voice almost gone. Sissoko what a beast. Thrilled for Jonas as well. Great day. Just got in, ready to rewatch on Sky’s game of the day.
geordie Deb(Quote)
Deb ,It must of been fantastic to be there ,I’m well jel 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
I just can’t get over that performance today. Playing the rest of the season with Debuchy, Sissoko, Gouffron makes us a different team.
In addition to Jonas, I though Santon, Staylor and Collo were immense
MDS(Quote)
Deb- I’m extremely jealous!
MDS(Quote)
Axel-That’s a good idea, could be interesting to see if they tried that.
But re Mapou, I think because CB is such a “teamy” position, understanding each other is key. If he can’t speak a word of English and Tayls, Colo and Krul can’t speak a word of French then you could well be asking for trouble…add to that he hasn’t been here long enough to develop an understanding on the training field without language and I think you’ll find pards is just letting him bed in.
Worked a treat for Santon 😉
Newkie(Quote)
Good point Newkie. I loved seeing Taylor barking out orders at the back today. We’ve missed that I think…
MDS(Quote)
MDS @ 65 I agree 😉
Newkie I don’t think the ref had seen it as im sure he would have carded him, so I guess we just have to wait,
I also said Jonas put in a good shift, but I don’t know if it was as good as some have said, but was a lot better than what we’ve seen from him so far.
I also agree with you on Perch 😯 jez whats happening thats 2 things I agree on with you, next you know you’ll be agreeing with me that that was a cracking boot Colo hit Ba with 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave 😆 😆
Even if I have a bit more sympathy for Ba than most, it was a brilliant shot by Colo. Think he’s doing his best to get back in our good books 😀
Hopefully Cisse won’t get banned then, would be our luck this season, just when it seems to be getting on track 😕 Guess we’ll see if they mention it on MOTD..
Newkie(Quote)
NEWKIE good point regarding the language barrier , it is a key position too take that risk . Could back fire big time .
Axel(Quote)
On the Cisse thing ,he did not actually throttle the fecker and if the ref did not put it in his report nowt will happen .
Axel(Quote)
Ba should’ve been trying to head that in the first place 😆
Andymag(Quote)
What a goal by lampard
Andymag(Quote)
Axel-Exactly. If Jonas and Gouffran mess up a move then fair enough we just lose possession, but one **** up as a CB can lose you a match just like that, not to mention the effect it could have on confidence levels on the player himself, as well as the others involved.
Strikers are always the easiest to bed in, just stick em on the pitch and they know to put it between the posts, bit more to it at the other end.
Newkie(Quote)
would like to see the whole game again new I know the result with a football eye instead of toon eye lol
icedog(Quote)
And a good one for Mata I might add.
Andymag(Quote)
In a hotel in The Hague, so have seen nothing. Loving the result and all the positive comments. Even B&B has been a little complimentary. All augers well guys
Dutchbrin(Quote)