I honestly can’t say that I’m overly surprised that we lost the game. I maintained from the start that I’d already written this one off and would have been very surprised if we’d have got anything out of it.
And so it proved as City ran out comfortable winners at the former City of Manchester Stadium, with a mad five minute spell before the interval proving costly and effectively putting the game out of reach before the start of the second period courtesy of goals from Carlos Tevez and David Silva, and with another two goals added after the interval by Vincent Kompany along with an own goal from James Perch.
Newcastle had been lucky to last 40 minutes without conceding a goal as City carved out chances seemingly at will with Rob Elliot, poor finishing and some last ditch defending being the only things that prevented City from taking the advantage. United rarely threatened and only went close through Papiss Cisse who volleyed Vurnon Anita’s lobbed pass towards goal with the shot going just wide.
Then came those mad minutes I spoke about. Gael Clichy’s weak cross from the left was allowed to cross the width of the penalty area without a United defender getting anywhere near it until Carlos Tevez got the better of Jonas Gutierrez at the back post and slid the ball into the roof of the net.
That goal came on the 40 minute and two minutes into added on time City effectively wrapped up the points when David Silva smashed home Samir Nasri’s pass at the near post to cap what was a poor half for United.
However 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline and one goal can change the complexion of a game. In fairness to United they started the second period brightly and created a number of chances, most notably through Moussa Sissoko who played in Yohan Cabaye who saw his volleyed effort fly inches wide of Joe Hart’s far post. Much improved from the away side.
But it didn’t last long and on 56 minutes it was 3-0 to City. An initial Manchester City corner was cleared by United only for Gareth Barry to pick the ball up on the edge of the box and try his luck with a shot at goal, which was going wide until Vincent Kompany flicked a leg at it which in turn deflected it into the back of the net. Opportunity knocked and Kompany answered.
It was 4-0 with 20 minutes to go as Yaya Toure surged into the United penalty and evaded two challenges. The ball didn’t though yet it always bobbled back to the Ivory Coast midfielder who shot from a narrow angle and bet Rob Elliot on his near post via a deflection off the boot of James Perch. It’s actually been given as a Perch own goal which I feel is harsh but that’s just splitting hairs…
City eased off and United seemed shaken and in the end the game petered out with the scoreline staying at 4-0. A bad day at the office for United, worse than I expected, even though I knew we’d more than likely get beat. It wasn’t pretty and too many players were below par today, and in the end that is what caused us to lose so heavily and not the brilliance of Manchester City.
Onwards and upwards!
Man City: Joe Hart; Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Gael Clichy; Gareth Barry, Yaya Toure; David Silva, Samir Nasri, Carlos Tevez; Edin Dzeko
Subs: Costel Pantilimon, Kolo Toure, Aleksander Kolarov, Javi Garcia, James Milner, Scott Sinclair, Sergio Aguero
Newcastle: Rob Elliot; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Jonas Gutierrez; Vurnon Anita, Yohan Cabaye; Gabriel Obertan, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran; Papiss Cisse
Subs: Steve Harper, Curtis Good, James Perch, Gael Bigirimana, Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Adam Campbell
G2, I don’t think it’s impossible that we may get a draw, and Pardew will go out of his way to play a controlled defensive game. Actually he would be crazy to try anything different, and having watched the Benfica highlights posted on here recently they seem to have jokers throughout the team who can create goals. However, I believe a draw isn’t impossible.
I agree with you about Fulham, a fatigued Newcastle having trouble breaking down a solid Fulham side who also need points in the bag. A draw will probably be a good point at the end of the day, but we really need 3 points at the end of the day.
I only hope that the players are REALLY up for the Fulham game, because that is the critical one imo.
Munich Mag(Quote)
QPR’s pressing is a shambles. They tried for about three minutes and are sitting back already. Fulham are going to take them to the cleaners.
Wellington(Quote)
Samba fouls Berbs in the box. Penalty.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Hah! 😎
Wellington(Quote)
1-0 Fulham. Simples.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Wasn’t Samba one of those centre halves everyone was getting excited about a few years ago … 😳 😳 He looked rather foolish just there 😉
Fulham 1 QPR 0 Berbatov pen , Berba has scored in the last 4 EPL games…
Munich Mag(Quote)
Foul was on Dejagah, Samba did OK against Berbatov that time. QPR’s suffering has only just begun. 😈
Wellington(Quote)
Samba and Dejagah were both decidedly average minus playing in the Bundesliga. They are both now playing in the EPL. Says it all really.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Samba was good at Blackburn with Ryan Nelsen pulling his strings. ‘Arry’s plan to reunite that partnership relied on the New Zealander turning back time, though. 😛
Wellington(Quote)
GeordieTwo – Ye and especially taking Vuckic’s injury record into account. Sadly for that lad, Vuckick, I dont think he will make it, he is simply too fragile or our medical staff is not up for it??? Havent there been raised suspicion about our medical staff in the past????
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
Good thoughts on the Benfica game Munich. Have to agree we’ll be quite defensive but we’ll need a few dangerous counters to reduce the pressure. Keep the ball on the carpet and pass it around. We’ll need something like 45% possession for a draw I would think.
Sidwell having a good game for Fulham so far. Pards is there I see.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Martinez in attendance, too. Lots of clubs eyeing up who to sign on release clauses when QPR go down.
Wellington(Quote)
Fulham can be very good at home but are poor away. We’ll have to hope that continues to be the pattern. Berbs is flying again and Samba has egg on his face, 2-0 Fulham. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Kinda sad to see the scavengers getting ready to pick the bones befor they have even been consigned to oblivion 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
no magic from harry this time and Fulham have no probs scoring unlike us , getting a tad anxious about our meeting now.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good, it will take the pressure from Fulham having to get a result on Sunday and keeps QPR down the bottom.
DJG(Quote)
MM I think a draw on thurs would be a good outcome and set us up nicely , I just hope we get our defence sorted out
Big Dave(Quote)
We’ll have to take some of the pressure off the defense Big Dave@392. More possession from the midfield. More carpet football. Usually when we boot it long for Cisse we lose possession straight away. Keep it tight and attack only on the break. Lots of running required which means early subs to be ready for Sunday. Hope you’re well mate.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Berba on fire tonight , that’s right lad you get them goals out your system before you confront us 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
QPR are doing a good job of illustrating my worries about a half-effective pressing game. I would rather Pardew set the lads up compact (Berbatov, for all his skills, cannot force a high line back) than have us stretched out and not shutting off options.
Obviously, if we can press properly, it’s a better strategy for winning the game rather than coming away with a point.
Hey, QPR scored while I was typing! Oh. 😳 😆
Wellington(Quote)
Hill og. 3-0 Fulham. QPR are a shambles. Arry looks depressed for some reason. 😆
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Fair play to Fulham they have gone into this game with exactly the right attitude . They know they are playing a rock bottom team and won’t relax until the job is done and with that it’s 3.0 game over.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good goal by Tarabt. Still 3-1 and Fulham mostly playing well.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Kim@389 – I feel for QPR’s fans, but their regime and manager deserve this… and @397, I think you might have been speaking for Fulham’s players. 😛
3-1, Fulham get a reminder to keep their feet on the ground.
Wellington(Quote)
Blimey one back for QPR totally against the run of play ,bolt from the blue. 😯
KIMTOON(Quote)
3-1 nu
I would go for Martin Jol. Ive always liked him and there’s no reason he wouldnt work for Ashley..
mark(Quote)
Welly@399 😆 I just like to give an fair and unbiased view on any team apart from the scum who are always *****. 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
@Blackley & Brownlie
do you not think M Jol would do a better job than Pardew?
mark(Quote)
Didn’t I read somewhere once that Berba was a Toon fan 😕 maybe he’ll take pity on us and have an off day 😉
KIMTOON(Quote)
Mark when would you go for him ? And are you calling for Pards to go now ?
Big Dave(Quote)
I know Fulham are a bit of a home team, but they are passing and moving and playing much better than we are. They have some big CB’s who can come and challenge from set plays as well. I don’t think we will have an easy time at all against them tbh. Worrying times. 🙁
DJG(Quote)
Big D & G2 I don’t think a draw is out of the question, but we’ll have to be well up for it. I have a feeling that the club and the players really will be up for it. Having said that Benfica are top of there league and haven’t lost a league game in 27 I believe. I just hope we don’t get cuffed on Thursday, pick up a couple of injuries, come home with a fragile morale and lose to Fulham.
Both of these options are decidedly possible with our squad.
Munich Mag(Quote)
QPR ARE ABSOLUTELY GArbage and making Fulham look good. No disrespect to Fulham though, we need to beat them next week.
Munich Mag(Quote)
@Big Dave
Yes, I think there must be better than Pardew. Some of his bullshit mixed with poor tactics and bad team selections suggest he might not be good enuf..
mark(Quote)
MM ,totally agree ,much as I want us to enjoy our cup run it is a distraction we don’t need .If only we’d beaten Wignasty we’d be on 36 and feeling far more happy about europa.
KIMTOON(Quote)
MUNICH MAG
I disagree. Yes QPR are a mess, but if we don’t show Fulham full respect, they will take us to the cleaners. They are well drilled and certain for mid-table, we are all over the place at the minute.
DJG(Quote)
I believe this really is a critical 10 days which will make or break our season. If things go badly and we say lose to the makkems, I can se the roof coming off tbh. I hope Johnny Carver is having a word in AP’s shell like, because everyone will suffer if things go pear shaped. Unfortunatley it is all our own doing, but we have it in us to get it sorted.
nOT TRYING to stir owt up or owt, I’ve just learned that in Germany to hit the nail right on the head so you can attack the problem with all your efforts 😕
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM I hope not but all things are possible, getting coffed won’t be the end of the world but the injuries would be worse
Big Dave(Quote)
DJG@411 I think we are saying the same thing mate, but you used the right words 😳
“we need to beat them” is not the same as we “should” beat them…
Munich Mag(Quote)
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/130401/newcastle-transfer-news-celtic-defender-replace-coloccini-194806
mark(Quote)
Loic Remy just missed a penalty. I haven’t been too impressed with him so far. I think we may have avoided a bad one there, which makes me wonder why we were after him to begin with.
funkyjesus(Quote)
My main gripe with Pards is he’s too defensive even at home ,I don’t think I have seen us go all out attack in any game this season. I know we have had both Cabaye and Benny out for long spells this season but all the same not once can I really say we’ve gone for it. I wouldn’t wanna see Pards sacked as after what he managed last season he deserves time and has had injuries to key players a distracted captain for most the season and no backing until january from a panicky Jabba & co. Having said all that next season if we survive this one ,I want to see a better performance on the field and be able to enjoy the season instead of hiding behind the sofa every game come february onwards 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well saved that pen 😎
KIMTOON(Quote)
So he just scored to shut me up. Bonkers match.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Remy ,ya little **** 3.2 ,what’s happened to Fulham 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Mark @ 403 – Jol? What about Wellington? Certainly talks a good game. Do you think he knows what he’s talking about? 😛
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
You fellas writing Harry off too early? 😛
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
B&B ,You ain’t a Arry fan are you ❓ 😯
KIMTOON(Quote)
Do we want Fulham to win or QPR ? 😕
Munich Mag(Quote)
Turned into quite an interesting match now. Still has to be Fulham’s to win at home but QPR have fought back well.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Mark I do think Pards will.keep us up and coming back from the brink might do him good, but I do worry sometimes as some of the **** he says and some of his selections/tactics worry me. Nut I respect your choice and opinion, and if you really beliebe he cant do it for us then your better calling for him to go, do you think Jol would come ?
Big Dave(Quote)
Good comments all. I think we will have to really push hard over the next 10 days. Benfica sound too good to me for even a draw away but if we could score in a close loss it might make the home leg interesting. I agree with those that say Fulham are a well drilled side and we will have to come out strong to win that one. These next few games are a huge test for us and especially Pardew. We can’t sack him this season but next is a different matter.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
If something unexpected happens and Ashley fires Pardew, Jol would do it for me, he has the track record after all.
I expect Pards to be with us though for at least next season.
Munich Mag(Quote)
@BD
nothing would please me more than Pardew staying and repeating the heroics of last season.
Unfortunately there’s too many questions surrounding too many decisions with Pards.
Aye, I thing M Jol would come. They’re doing well with a tight squad and budget. He’d love to work with our squad.
I liked M Jol at Spurs, he plays decent attacking football with disciplined tactics.
mark(Quote)
think 🙂
mark(Quote)
i can see qpr scoring another goal here with Fulham scoring the winner in the final minutes 😆
mark(Quote)
Remy would of been a great replacement for Ba. we would of been safe by now if he had of signed for us
mark(Quote)
this is a real game of two halfs ,goals ,missed pens ,red cards ,has it all.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kim – I’d never write Harry off.
I like the way both teams are closing man for man, and not the cautious game of 4 v 2 at the back. If you’re confident you’ve got the better players, stand toe to toe. Otherwise, like a swirling wind, playing cautiously with a defensive mindset is just a leveller. Bloody hell, that sounds like one of Welly’s elevated opinions. 😛
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
Is that Sidwell banned for the toon game ? Now that would be nice 😉
Munich Mag(Quote)
Samba, Hoilett, Remy, Jenas…man I wish we had those blokes, we wouldn’t be where we are with them in the team 😳 🙄
Munich Mag(Quote)
I think this is a BRILLIANT rsult for the toon. QPR are toast, and Fulham will think they are now safe. We’ll pagger them at SJP 🙂
Munich Mag(Quote)
Samba, Hoilett, Remy, Jenas.. i’d only take Remy.
mark(Quote)
Pardew on the Europa league in the Mirror today -“It’s cost us points and without a shadow of a doubt we would not be in this position if we were not in the Europa league. ” There are two many games in that competition . I’m never going to change my opinion on that,even if we win the bloody thing. ” It needs to be looked at. We’ve lost too many players through injury.”
KIMTOON(Quote)
Munich – Sidwell definitely banned for our game. Good thing he didn’t put that tackle in against one of ours – the FA would have given him a medal!
Wellington(Quote)
Kim @439 – I guess he’s trying to pass on the virtue of consistency to the squad.
Wellington(Quote)
EXCUSES! 👿
PROVE IT ALAN! Where are we in the league table of injuries? In if you could prove it, which other team in the bottom half could get four top replacements half way through the season?
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
We got knocked out all the other bloody cups straightaway! 👿
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
If Pards feels that it’s cost us players ,why did he risk Benny on an artificial pitch in the freezing cold 😕 .It’s like saying ,that bridge is broken but hey I’m gonna walk over it anyway. 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
God love him he likes to talk doesn’t he. Time for him and the players to do the talking on the pitch me thinks.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Welly@441 , Let’s hope he doesn’t think they are that dense that he has to spell it out. 😳 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Lee Clark? Young, hungry ambitious, geordie schooled under Keegan? 😐
Blackley & Brownlie(Quote)
B&B trivia questions!
“Where are we in the league table of injuries? ”
Top (worst): http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
“which other team in the bottom half could get four top replacements half way through the season?”
QPR shelled out over 22 million (compared to NUFC’s 19.5) in the winter transfer window. There’s a case for Fulham, with their loan quartet, but then we get into hair-splitting.
When did you become a shill for Alan Pardew, B&B? 😉
Wellington(Quote)
I would love for Lee Clark to one day manage Newcastle. He should’ve never been sacked at Huddersfield and is doing okay with limited means at Birmingham. He seems to have a knack for bringing in young players well, maybe he got that from being under Roeder both at Newcastle and Norwich??.
AlanPardewProject(Quote)
WOOO HOOO HOOO!
3 FEKIN MONTH AND B&B HAS COME UP WITH A NAME.. 😯 😆
mark(Quote)