We never do things the easy way do we!
2-0 up with 10 minutes to go and cruising, yet two late goals from Oxford meant it took an extra-time screamer from Allan Saint-Maximin to eventually send us through.
We were minutes away from penalties, but this moment of pure magic from the explosive Frenchman sealed our place in the last 16 of the FA Cup.
West Brom away now await, with this being the first time we’ve made it into the 5th round in 14 years!
It was a sloppy start, with plenty loose touches and stray passes, but it was immediately clear we that we were prepared to get more bodies forward and were going to enjoy FAR more of the ball than we’re used to.
We’re used to having 35% of the ball in the League, but enjoyed almost 60% of the play in the first half – and we made the most of our dominance 15 minutes in.
Joelinton made a good darting run to get on the end of an Almiron cross, held the ball up well and laid the ball back to Sean Longstaff, who bided his time, worked the space well and fired into the roof of the next from the edge of the box. 1-0, the perfect start and a big confidence boost for a player who’s been struggling badly in recent weeks.
15 minutes later it was two – and another goal that came via some good work between Sean Longstaff and Joelinton.
This time it started with some great defensive work from Almiron. He then released Sean Longstaff who played a perfectly weighted ball in behind to Joelinton.
The Brazilian had a lot to do, but showed good movement, a turn of pace and decent strength to hold off his man, before getting the ball under control and slotting past the Oxford goalkeeper calmly.
A clinical finish and a HUGE confidence boost for the 23-year-old, especially when it was one of those goals where he had a LOT of time to think about it while everyone on Tyneside and in the away end held their breath.
Sadly he was forced off moments later after failing to shrug off a painful injury to his hip/side, but it was brilliant to see him bag a goal and an assist during his 37 minutes on the field – moments both Alan Shearer and the travelling Toon Army enjoyed!
We didn’t create a great deal of chances and did survive a few scares in the first half – with Darlow making a great stop and Lascelles clearing off the line – but it was a professional opening 45.
The second half was steady yet a bit passive from our perspective, with us preferring to see the game out than kill it with a third. We looked like we were coasting to a 0-2 win, but our failure to finish the game off cost us dearly.
A cheap free kick given away by Ritchie gave them a chance to make it interesting with 10 minutes left, and Kelly did just that.
Suddenly, we were on the ropes and you feared the worst. Panic set in, Oxford won a late free-kick deep into stoppage time – sending their keeper up in the process – and you know what follows next.
Holland scored a peach and sent the Kassam wild, meaning we’d thrown away a 0-2 lead in the space of 10 minutes and were suddenly needing to get the better of a buoyant Oxford in extra time if we were to progress.
Extra time began and they were immediately on the front foot, and were a goal-mouth scramble away from scoring less than a minute into the opening 15. We were all over the shop and the writing was on the wall if we didn’t sort ourselves out, and quickly.
Saint-Maximin looked our only hope at this point, with our midfield looking leggy and Yedlin showing an appalling lack of composure whenever he did break into the final third with the ball.
15 over, 15 to go and still 2-2.
We started the final period well – and needed to if we were to avoid a potentially unbearable penalty shoot out. Atsu cut in, went past a few and saw a deflected effort drift just wide, while the resultant corner also led to another goal, with Matty Longstaff curling just over after Ritchie’s ball in fell to him on the edge of the box.
The game was opening up and Oxford suddenly looked out on their feet. This was our chance to capitalise and strike the decisive blow before spot kicks.
Then, with minutes left before penalties, Allan Saint-Maximin did this:
A moment of sheer brilliance from our explosive Frenchman, sending us into the FA Cup 5th round and the travelling Toon Army wild as a result.
A rollercoaster ride that ended in some style!
Phew.
I want to know is why was Bruce looking up at Ashley when max got the winner. As for the match Newcastle controlled most of the game but had zero ideas in the final third. Hoofball again
Fastoon(Quote)
Just got to hope Maxi and eldest of Staff’s plus Dubravka don’t get parcelled up and flogged. Can feel it in my water.
Lee(Quote)
Well we made really really hard work of that in the second half. What is it with us just sitting back and inviting pressure, especially against league one side? ***, just kill it off but we don’t do that. It was genius that we had no striker on the bench. Nothing, and now our one and only fit striker is also injured. Who said we didn’t need a striker Bruce? You couldn’t make it up.
That was scary stuff last night. But we are through, god help us against West Brom. ???
Dubai Toon(Quote)
I don’t get why Bruce risks half fit Saint as a CF when we are 2-0 up and looked in control.
Liverpool played a full youth team v Shrewsbury for the full 180 mins.
Why not rest the semi fit senior players and put on a young CF that has travelled all that way.
Bruce can’t twist that the seniors are running themselves into the ground and then not use the young uns when you are 2-0 up and looking comfortable imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
As for the game itself – it was yet another hard watch.
There’s been a lot said about a team without identity – it’s hard to have an identity when you can string 5 passes together!!.
It was like watching school kids at times.
I would love to see exactly what they work on in training.
Yet we find ourselves through to round 5 – something we’ve not done in years ??♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Says it all when I never feel comfortable when we lead 2 or even 3.0
This club will kill me off .
Jabba out
kimtoon(Quote)
I don’t know what anyone else felt, but Ashley being at the game last night felt like ‘this is my club and I’m not selling’ to me ????
Sharpy17(Quote)
https://twitter.com/Chris_brennan91/status/1224823900397342721
😯 😆
kimtoon(Quote)
Good to see the energy and pace from the two Longstaff brothers. Lejeune kept trying but lacked sharpness. Surprised with Schär who didn’t appear interested. Yedlin is really poor and needs replacing. Didn’t like the idea of bringing on Hayden to replace Almirón who may have been nursing an injury. It was like waving a white flag. As it was Hayden contributed little and Matty was much better even though it looked as though he was under instruction not to go forward.
Groucho(Quote)
Are we still allowed to criticise the performance even though we won? We’ve four times now played third tier teams and we have only won one of them games in 90 mins.
It’s utterly boring.
Stuart79(Quote)
It was a much better performance last night. Bentaleb looked very good and Sean back to his best while the winner was stunning. Why haven’t we seen more of that?
georgio(Quote)
Sean was further forward last night which had a positive effect on his play i thought.
kimtoon(Quote)
West Bromwich Albion@WBA
Confirmation of our #EmiratesFACup
fifth-round clash with Newcastle United.
We would like to remind @NUFC supporters The Hawthorns is a windmill-free zone.
😆
kimtoon(Quote)
RIP Kirk Douglas, what an amazing age 103,one of hollywood greats.
kimtoon(Quote)
Saw someone talking about why Saudi Arabian PIF would buy Newcastle and not Man Utd. But interesting to hear that PIF invested in a electric car company which wasn’t Tesla. Wouldn’t they just buy Tesla if they looked at it like people think they look at football?
Stuart79(Quote)
The world, eh.
Everybody knew that the US Senate would let off the Big Fat Fraud.
And somehow another Big Fat Fraud runs Britain.
Do we get what we deserve…
BFFs?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Is it me that only notices this ? ! ? !
Or is Boris Johnson’s (BJ) HEAD sinking into his chest and belly? It is some sort of gravity pulling that Old Etonian’s head down to join his fat **** at some point.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I really didn’t think it could get much worse but Christ! Now Bloomberg reckon a friend of Kim Kardashian is advising the Saudi’s in their bid for Toon. 🙂
Stuart79(Quote)
The takeover is descending into pure bollocks . . again!
georgio(Quote)
NO TAKEOVER
kimtoon(Quote)
The headlines are getting even more bizarre – Kim Kardashian’s friend advising NUFC takeover etc.
I actually watched 1 episode of that show Keeping up with the Kardashian’s. I am not proud of myself. The whole hour consisted of a giant arsed pouting girl going car shopping – for a Bentley – and talking to her friends and family on the phone about it. That was an hour of my life I wish I could have back and I have even endured NUFC games this season that were more entertaining.
I sat there aghast, mouth open most of the time thinking – “this is it”. “This is all this show is about”.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, happy to say i have never watched an episode in my life.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: don’t you think this is the ULTIMATE clickbaiting by The Chronic? Somehow they have managed to get that giant assed Kardashian’s name into a story about NUFC. It is not even her who was linked, it is a so-called friend of hers.
Mark Douglass will say it was real journalism and the NE public needed to know. Not clickbaiting at all. The Chronic would never stoop that.
“But since we at the Chronic never clickbait, how about another 11 stories about a takeover…”
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am actually not opposed to clickbaiting. That’s how they make money now. JUST ADMIT IT MARK, FFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Barry Hearn now involved with this non takeover – I think there’s only Harry and Megan to be credited with an involvement now ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
OK. For some reason there is news in the US that British TV host Phillip Schofield has come out as Gay.
If he had come out as straight I would have been shocked. Couldn’t the housewives tell he was Gay?
Next week, Piers Morgan (another breakfast TV host) will tell us he is a d!ck. I knew that all along Piers, you don’t have to tell me.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric, yep it’s pure click bait and pathetic .
As for Pip, i feel sorry for his mrs, she’s been sold a lie for 27 years poor cow.
kimtoon(Quote)
The Schofield stuff made it onto TV here. Nobody even knows who he is. They know Piers w@nker Morgan because he was on CNN.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Really looking forward to Dour Dave leading out Declan (most overrated player in the history of football) Rice and Mark (I shout a lot but am actually pretty ****) Noble against Pep, De Bruyne and Aguero.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sounds like really bad weather in the UK! Even the Man City game is postponed. Many flights cancelled. I hope all of you based in UK Are ok and that it isn’t as bad as the press are making out. Stay safe everyone!
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Weather not too bad in Newcastle , bit breezy, a few showers and some sunshine.
Typical weather for us really.
sidekick(Quote)
I just checked a weather app and Manchester is 10 degrees with 20 MPH winds and a bit of rain forecast. That sounds like a typical winter’s day. They played the game in Sheffield.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So, who has heard the rumour that David Beckham, George Clooney and Richard Branson have put together a consortium to buy NUFC with Amanda Stavely’s mam, who will be in it for 1 and 1/2 percent and Sheikh Ya-*** who is the world’s 2nd richest man being valued at 1,000 trillion billion bitcoins?
Nobody? That’s because I just made it up. Can I have a job at The Chronic now? Chief Sports Writer?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Olly, mate. We all knew Dubs was bailing us out.
I have been yapping on about it for a month comparing him to Man U when De Gea was player of the year for them for 4 years straight and making a **** team look decent.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Yorkshire has been hit bad by this storm, terrible floods and thousands without electricity.
Here is Bristol it’s been pouring down and pretty windy with massive gusts now and then tonight.
kimtoon(Quote)
Here in
kimtoon(Quote)
The weather here isn’t too bad. Had 40mph winds but nothing out of the ordinary. Surprised the Man City game was called off though!
Stuart79(Quote)
Jordan “mistake waiting to happen” Pickford made another error to cost a goal at the weekend. Somehow he is still England’s goalkeeper. The giant arsed Mackem is 19th out of 20 keepers in percentage of shots saved in the PL, behind only Kepa. Who happened to get dropped on the weekend.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Gareth, man. If there was ever a more obvious move to make as England Manager it would be to drop Pickford. Every single English keeper in the PL is better than him.
There is history here. England managers always wait too long to drop useless/out of form keepers. It happened with Shilton, with Carson, with Joe (I dive over the ball to make it look like I am making an effort as the ball flies into the back of the net) Hart. Even David Seaman (Ronaldinho freekick at WC).
The giant arsed Mackem will cost us at the Euros. He is a manchild who cannot handle a big occasion. You have been warned.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Phillip Schofield has come out as a Geordie all along and says he is from Byker and has been hiding his accent all along even when he was on BBC Children’s TV. He is now setting up a consortium to buy NUFC. Details to follow…
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cheryl Cole has just announced that she is much prettier than that posh tart Stavely and will front the new buyout. We can all agree that seeing Cheryl in the stands would be better than that ugly fckr Keith Bishop.
Backers for Cheryl’s buyout of NUFC are said to include:
Sting
Gordon Sumner
The True Geordie
The Geordie Dancer
Run Geordie Run
Geordie Shore
Vera
Robson Green
Mark Knofler
Jimmy Nail
Ant and Dec
Lee Ryder
Inspector Lewis
Brian Johnson
Eric Burden
VIZ Comic
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Other’s who were said to be interested but pulled out were:
Freddy Sheppard – because he’s dead.
Sir John Hall – because he has a full time job now talking to The Chronicle about his past life as owner of NUFC.
Peter Beardsley – disappeared.
Andy Cole – because his name is ANDREW, don’t you all get it YET!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Slow on here.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I thought it was worth a punt on Carroll with a highly incentivized contract, mainly because we had no other strikers at the time. Remember Perez and Rondon had left. Now I think we should just give up on him. His style of play means he will get injuries, so what is the point really. He hasn’t scored in almost 2 years. He also encourages Brucie to play hoofball which might be OK if we had Robert Lewandowski but we have a non-scoring striker.
Paying a cheerleader 20k a week seems excessive even by football standards.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I think we all knew that getting Carroll was a punt that had a high chance of failure. We have to address the real issue in the summer which is getting a striker who will actually be fit and scores goals. We can’t trust Dwight Gayle to be fit either and cannot be in a position again where we are relying on injury prone strikers and Joelinton.
We have to accept that Joelinton as a number 9 is a failed experiment. Put him back to where he was playing before where he seems to at least have a clue.
We have what we have until the end of the season so we also need to hope that Gayle or Carroll get fit and score a few goals. There’s all these new stats around nowadays and one of them is XG, “expected goals”. I think it is some sort of metric to predict the goals you SHOULD score based on quality and quantity of chances created. We are bottom, so something has to change before our luck runs out.
Hopefully our luck will hold and we will not be relegated and will have the chance to fix the folly of relying on strikers who do not score.
And we should sack Bruce. He has been lucky rather than good. That will not continue, even if Dubravka continues to be superman.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
OK, since it is only me I will do a stat attack:
If Joelinton does not score against Arsenal he will have gone 30 HOURS without a PL goal.
Remind me the number on the back of his shirt again?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hi Eric
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Man City banned from European competitions for two years.
Probably blame it on Brexit 😀
sidekick(Quote)
Can’t see Pep hanging around now like
kimtoon(Quote)
New thread!
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2020/02/14/arsenal-a-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-predicted-line-ups-2/
Arsenal preview ^
Olly Hawkins(Quote)