Newcastle 3-0 Barnsley: Scenes at St. James’ as the Toon lift the title

What an incredible day at St. James’ Park.

As I arrived to the ground yesterday the situation was simple – we had to better Brighton’s result to be crowned Champions. We played host to Barnsley, whilst Brighton were away to Aston Villa in the days 12pm kick offs.

After a slow start, a sublime Ayoze Perez flick gave us the lead midway through the first half, seeing us go into the break top of the league, with Brighton being held to a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at this stage.

Chancel Mbemba made it two not long after the restart. It gave us a cushion and offered the crowd some relief, but you could still feel an air of tension, as Brighton were just a goal away from returning to the top.

Our worst fear then came true. Barnsley fans began celebrating, goading the nearby United fans. There was no need to check our phones for the latest scores, we knew. Brighton had taken the lead and to make matters worse, Villa had a man sent off in the process.

With Newcastle leading comfortably, the players were doing all they could, but the news made for a slightly flat next 20, as fans prayed for news of a Villa goal.

In the 90th minute, substitute Dwight Gayle capped off an outstanding season to make it 3-0, sealing a comfortable victory for the Magpies. The return of Gayle amongst the goals was a welcome sight, but not nearly as welcome as what came next.

Moments later, St. James’ Park erupted. Villa had equalised in the dying moments against Brighton!

The news filtered around the stadium within seconds, sending the crowd into a frenzy, with Newcastle all set to leapfrog Brighton and lift the title as things stood. Scenes of joy and jubilation spilled out, although there were still those refusing to celebrate until the final whistle had blown at Villa Park!

The full-time whistle blew at St. James’ and after a nervy few moments at Villa Park, it was confirmed – We were champions! Promotion was precious but this was the icing on the cake.

See below for the moment St. James’ Park found out Newcastle had won the title – what a moment!

‘We are the champions’ boomed around St. James’ while Rafa and his men lapped up the applause their efforts have so thoroughly deserved. An incredible day and fitting end to a hugely successful season.

Player ratings

Rob Elliot – 7 – Some important second half saves to keep Barnsley at bay. Has came in and looked very assured given his lengthy absence.

DeAndre Yedlin – 7 – Assisted Perez’s opener. A constant out ball down the right.

Chancel Mbemba – 8 – Got the all important second goal and defended comfortably throughout. Carries the ball out of defence very well and continues to impress after a return to the team.

Isaac Hayden – N/A – Started at CB today but was forced off early through a head injury.

Paul Dummett – 7 – Another steady defensive display from Dummett. Filled in well at centre-back for the injured Hayden.

Jack Colback – 7 –  Kept things ticking in midfield in the first half. His limitations are evident, but he put in a good shift.

Jonjo Shelvey – 6 – A slightly leggy and lacklustre performance by the midfield maestro. He needs a rest!

Christian Atsu – 8 – A constant threat cutting in from the right. Looked full of confidence and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Ayoze Perez* – 9 – His best game at St. James’ Park all season. Superbly taken goal and was lively throughout. Looked to have his spark back. Made things happen and was always looking for the ball. Man of the match.

Yoan Gouffran 6 – Offered little offensively but worked hard and pressed the opposition well.

Aleksandar Mitrovic – 6 – Struggled to win his battles, falling to the floor all too often. Defended corners well and laid on the assist for Gayle’s late goal. A player in desperate need of a goal!

SUBS:

Haidara – 6 – Came on for the injured Hayden early on, seeing Dummett move in at centre-back. He was rusty, as expected, and a little erratic going forward but did his job defensively.

Gayle – N/A – Didn’t take him long to get back on the scoresheet at St. James’.

Diame – N/A – Had little time to impact the game but nearly scored late on with a low shot after a driving run.

 

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About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

26 thoughts on “Newcastle 3-0 Barnsley: Scenes at St. James’ as the Toon lift the title

  1. Hughton missed out on promotion last year to Boro on goal difference. Now an 89th minute goal denies him the Trophy. Then again, maybe OUR luck has changed. When was the last time anything went right for US and we got fortunate?

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  2. There is a new king in town. The Daily Mail have taken Lee Ryder’s crown. Today they “learnt” 7 things about the Arsenal game. One was that an Arsenal player was eating maltesers on the bench, complete with picture and red circle around the malterers. I don’t expect much from the mail, except for pictures of WAGs’ cleavage, but this is plumbing new depths of vapid and vacuous reporting.

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  3. well we did our bit and won with ease in the end. Then had to hope Villa would do us a favour. In the end it was the Brighton keeper who did the favour & it was great to see SJP celebrating yesterday.
    I feel sorry for Stockdale & Brighton to have lost it that way, but really they lost it weeks before with poor results (7pts ahead should never have gone to the last day really).
    But pleased Houghton is coming up with us & good luck to them.

    I thought Atsu was excellent yesterday & seems to be getting better with game time. Who knows how he’ll fair in the PL but £6.5m certainly looks a fair price tag at the moment.

    It was clearly a publicity shot, but Ashley, Rafa & Charnley looked happy with the trophy yesterday as well. I think Ashley & Rafas meeting will go without too many issues personally, but time will tell.

    Interesting tweets from Cabaye & PEA yesterday – both sniffing for a move I wonder ??

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  4. Sharpy: I saw a shot of Ashley in the stands and he was with that PR guy he hangs out with so it was all staged even though they looked happy. Still, it was his first time at SJP this season so I will try not to be so cynical and hope it bodes well for the meeting with Rafa this week.

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  5. Thanks Olly, Very jealous that you got to see it all unfold. Still angry that Sky didn’t cut away to show cup being lifted, hardly any coverage at all.

    Looking forward to the new season and hoping Rafa gets the tools for the job too.

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  6. nice to see there was no sign of Carr that i could see normally hes right up jabba ***

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  7. Well that was very interesting…Never in doubt 🙂 Last minute goals are always the best ones. The roar was loudest when Villa scored than when we cored our goals.

    Now the hard work starts.

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  8. icedog:
    nice to see there was no sign of Carr that i could see normally hes right up jabba ***

    probs in hiding after that raid 😉

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  9. Villa central for a final Toon day again! Joyous celebrations at the end too. Amazing.

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  10. I’m getting sick of these ******** pundits going on about how us fans have not complained or protested against the ownership this season – Iain Wright being the latest to have a pop.
    Firstly, I know the bloke is a clown, and his over use of the term gaffer when talking to Glenn Hoddle is just creepy.
    But is the bloke really that fucking stupid?!. If Wenger stays into next season and Arsenal go on to win the league – does he really think that the Arsenal fans will be shouting for him to leave?!.

    Wrighty also wasn’t paying much attention when we were pissed off that Jabba interfered in the January window was he?!.

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  11. Sharpy, Jason Cundy is another first class **** along with all the talksport **** wipes.

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  12. I quite like Wrighty. He’s not too bright though. Entertaining enough but not to be taken seriously (are any of pundits?).
    Ridiculous rumour linking us with 33 year old Yaya in the Chron today.
    I do hope we revive the interest in Sandro at £5.1m. We tried a year ago and the Chron even reported it as a done deal then disappeared it. Might have been a McClaren/Carr special. Why waste money on him when we can get Thauvin? Clowns!

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  13. The ex-player pundits over here are all very good. Warren Barton is feisty but makes a lot of sense and lurves the Toon. They also have Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle, neither of whom had stellar careers but I think that makes them more thoughtful and they are certainly more articulate than Merson and the like. I think the fact they weren’t just handed a job helps. I am not saying that great ex-players cannot make great pundits, but sometimes they are a bit ****.

    The Yanks are unanimously good pundits. They all played “soccer” in college and there was no guarantee they would make a living at it afterwards so they had to get an education as well. I am not saying that you have to go to University to be articulate but this lot seem to have an innate ability and an education, which can’t hurt.

    Then there is Lee Dixon and Graeme La Saux who are both great. I heard that the lads in the dressing room used to have mucho banter about Le Saux reading the Guardian.

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  14. Don’t like Collymore’s recommended buys: Defoe, Terry and Fabregas. All excellent players in their time but I have watched too many has been s at Newcastle taking home a last big pay day but not putting in the effort. If we are building for the future then you cannot do it with old men. One senior player to give experience to the side is probably enough. Ex-big name players have rarely been successful for us. I tend to regard them as the cast-offs of other teams.

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  15. We should be building a team for the future not packing it out with has beens. A couple of experienced heads in key areas yes but not up front where pace is required. There was a time I really wanted us to sign Defoe but he chose to go abroad then back here on loan to Spuds and then Scum. He was excellent last season but this season I think time has really caught up with him so sorry not for me like. It’s a season or 2 too late.

    Back on the ex player pundit thing, Merson can hardly pronounce players names and for me that should be the very basic a pundit should be able to do. I know the other panellist laugh at him about it but it’s very unprofessional and disrespectful.

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  16. So I would buy the following players:

    Kieran Gibbs
    Callum Chambers
    Jack Wiltshire
    Tom Cairney
    Andros Townsend

    Plus a striker who can score goals and who we would probably have to break our transfer record for. Whoever that may be.

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  17. Be lucky to get Gibbs Stu, he may be second fiddle to Monreal but Arsene does seem to rate him.

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  18. Looked up Gibbs’ value on Transfermarkt and they said 10 mil Euros. If we could get him for that he would be a bargain.

    Wilshere is a sicknote. Just look at the number of games he has missed in the past 5 years. His latest injury is another non-contact injury. He is made of glass, and besides he is vastly overrated. I wouldn’t even take him on a free unless the physios and Dr,s need some extra practice for players that actually play.

    Does Andros have a release clause? I think he does and I think we should do all we can to get him back. His Agent will make another commission as well so he will be happy.

    The other 2 I have not seen much of but they are probably better than what we have. Depends on if Fulham get promoted or not as well.

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  19. Wilshere? Never fit so no way.
    Townsend? Had your chance bonny lad and blew it.

    Whoever we sign I’d also want Rubens Cheek and/or Zouma on loan.

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  20. kimtoon:
    We should be building a team for the future not packing it out with has beens. A couple of experienced heads in key areas yes but not up front where pace is required. There was a time I really wanted us to sign Defoe but he chose to go abroad then back here on loan to Spuds and then Scum. He was excellent last season but this season I think time has really caught upwith him so sorry not for me like. It’s a season or 2 too late.

    Back on the ex player pundit thing, Merson can hardly pronounce players names and for me that should be the very basic a pundit should be able to do. I know the other panellist laugh at him about it but it’s very unprofessional and disrespectful.

    I have 2 words for you:

    Sol

    Campbell

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  21. Kimtoon: Defoe has 15 goals even though he was a bit out of sorts for a while, playing for Desperate Dave and the shittest team in the league. 5 were penalties mind, but we never complained when Shearer topped up his stats with pens so why change our tune for Jermaine? You still have to score the penalties as well and there is an art to that.

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