Newcastle United 4-3 Manchester City |
|
Date:
Sunday 24th October 2004
Kick Off: 3.00pm BST
Venue: St. James' Park
Att: 52,316
Ref: Steve Dunn (Bristol)
Comp: Premiership |
| Premiership
Match Report In Association With Toon
Ale |
|
Boring Boring
Newcastle
After a fairly low key start to his tenure, it was only fitting that
Graeme Souness' troops would serve up what can only be described as
pure unadulterated entertainment against a side managed by a man famous
in these parts for serving up the delights of the beautiful game on
a plate for us to feast on week in and week out. And a feast it was.
Made all the more remarkable because after the first 45 minutes, nobody
could have foreseen the 7 goal thriller that was about to ensue. Not
even KK himself, all too used to spills and thrills of this magnitude.
As for Souness, well, it was about time he got introduced to the real
Newcastle.
Souness decided to keep Robert in the side with the Frenchman obviously
impressing the Scot over in Athens, a decision that would be repaid
later on, and as expected switched Jenas to the right to accommodate
Butt. The midfield four got an early grip on the game with Butt and
Bowyer in particular looking good and JJ showing his versatility,
getting into good positions down the right flank - backed up by the
excellent Carr whenever the opportunity presented itself.
United dominated the first half without really exerting any telling
pressure on City with Keegan's men standing strong at the back, keeping
a solid shape in midfield and waiting to catch us on the break with
the pace of Anelka and Wright-Phillips a constant reminder of the
firepower they could unleash on a back four who kept them at arms
length without ever looking convincing. Where, as an attacking force,
we were trying too hard perhaps to force the game our way with lots
of rushed passing.
The only real opportunity to score come just before half-time when
Robert sent in a low cross down the left which somehow fell to Bowyer
just inside the box. As is his luck at the moment, his shot was cleared
off the line by a combination of Thatcher and Dunne to make sure the
half ended all square at 0-0. City registered just the one strike
at Shay's goal - a tame effort from Anelka that was easily scooped
up by the Ireland man.
A hard fought, pretty even half with 1 goal looking capable of winning
the match become the banter at half-time among many of the 52,316
inside St. James' Park - a new record for the rebuilt ground, beating
the one set when West Brom came to the Old Gallowgate by 8.
What was to follow however was in stark contrast to the first half
and will be remembered for a long long time at a ground where these
sort of occurrences aren't exactly rare but it's still been a while
since we have felt such conflicting emotions, especially at home,
and came out smiling at the end.
The goal glut got underway just 4 minutes into the second half when
Robert scored his first goal of the season and first since the 4-1
win over Real Mallorca at home last season - a run of 28 games, after
Bosvelt's foul on Butt presented him with a 25-yard free-kick. Although
the Frenchman was having a mixed afternoon, going from the sublime
to the ridiculous and back again, hopefully this goal will be the
first of many.
Goal number two came not long after when Shearer was presented with
a penalty after he and Carr conjured together to force the decision,
with the Irishman being fouled by James after rounding the demoted
England keeper. Up stepped Big Al to grab his 8th of the season. 2-0
and coasting, and, you felt, game over for Keegan's men.
Or so we thought...
Barely 6 minutes had passed between our second and City's lifeline
grabbing first. Wright-Phillips who had moved up into the middle after
Anelka went off at half-time with an injury, pulled one back for the
away team in similar fashion to how he scored on his England debut
- and at the same end as well. 2-1 and game on. From a comfortable
position where 3 points looked to be in the bag, we allowed the men
in blue back into the game as we so often have done this season.
That goal acted as inspiration to City who started to believe in themselves
more, and exert some of there own pressure. Pressure that resulted
in Fowler winning himself a penalty after Butt was harshly adjudged,
and later proved incorrectly via TV replays, to have brung down the
man who starred in that epic 4-3 defeat at Anfield back in 96. Fowler
brushed himself down and slotted away the pen with ease to conjure
memories of Liverpool's comeback that night. 2-2 and City were more
than back in the game, we were on the back foot and they were clearly
in the ascendancy.
Against the run of play, we went back in front 2 minutes later when
the return of the Chicken dance was unleashed on an unsuspecting crowd
thanks to Elliott's glanced header that somehow crept in off the far
post after an inch perfect right wing floater from Robert's free-kick.
3-2, just hang on lads, just hang on...
Bang! Shay's net bulged for the 3rd time when that man again, Wright-Phillips,
grabbed his brace. If Souness is looking for a right-winger in January,
he can look no further than the little winger. A cracking player who
would light up St. James' Park - everything Kieron Dire should but
never will be. Yet for his impact on the game, he had a fairly anonymous
game prior to Anelka's departure with Bernard defending well against
him. Through the middle though he caused Elliott and O'Brien untold
problems.
At 3-3 the vast majority in the ground would have settled for a point,
Souness and keegan (especially) included. And that's the way it was
heading with just minutes remaining. Then a combination of Bernard
and Bellamy won it for us with the little Welshman despatching a neat
effort beyond James who was stranded on his line after a great pull
back from the left-back who capped off a fine performance.
Phew, game over and 3 points in the bag. I didn't know whether to
feel horrified that we let a 2-0 and then a 3-2 lead slip or whether
this was a great performance to be ecstatic over, given the spirit
we showed to go onto clinch it. Probably a mixture of both. What I
do know is that these games are very special, especially when they
go in our favour as a few have down the years. These were 3 very sweet
points taken from Keegan's men and and a great day out at the Old
Gallowgate where the new triumphed over the old in a fashion that
brought back many happy memories. It was just like watching Keegan's
Newcastle...
However it's Souness' Newcastle that entertained the masses and although
I'd like to think these heart stopping performances are to be few
and far between, you can't beat them really. A great advert for the
Premiership and Newcastle United, if not a great advert for the health
of Tyneside (or lack of health after the final whistle). My heart
certainly skipped a few beats and I'm sure it stopped a few times
as well. But would Newcastle be the club that we all love if we weren't
put through these agonising, enthralling and emotionally taxing moments?
I seriously doubt it, yet sadly, Souness is going to have to change
our ways if you like if we are to be successful at the top of the
League.
The class of 1995-96 proved that these type of games don't win anything
but friends. I'll miss them but we have to see the back of them.
And what of the man who almost brought home the League Title that
season? Fortunes haven't been that kind to Keegan since he left bonny
Newcastle have they and although he can view this defeat in good heart
and can count himself unfortunate to leave his former Castle empty
handed for the 3rd time since leaving, his days at Man City don't
look to be anything but a long hard slog and that's a shame and damn
sad. The day his former club Liverpool knocked in one of those nails
that eventually slammed shut the coffin lid on our Championship hopes,
was I believe, the day KK died. The day that the one thing that made
him tick disappeared for good. His inner belief. A belief that carried
Newcastle up through the trap door of certain 3rd Division football
and the real possibility of extinction to the very club we have become
today - the club that Graeme Souness has the task of delivering what
narrowly evaded the clutches of Keegan - the League Title.
One thing is certain, many more days like Sunday and we will be waiting
even longer for the top prize. In the meantime, what a bloody fantastic
game of football. Well done Souey and the lads and Keegan, as always
it was great to see you back at SJP.
Player
Ratings Vs Manchester City
Next
up: NUFC
VS Norwich (Wednesday October 27th 2004 League Cup 7.45pm K.O)
| Newcastle
United |
Man
City |
Match
Facts & Stats
Half-Time: 0-0
Full-Time: 4-3
Yellow Cards: 5
Red Cards: 0
Goalscorers: Robert
(49), Shearer (58 pen), Elliott (69), Bellamy (89)
Yellow Cards: Bernard (32), Butt (67)
Red Cards: 0
Substitutions: 3
Hughes (for Carr 59), Milner (for Robert 71), Ameobi
(for Bellamy 90)
Injuries: Carr picked up a knock
Goalscorers: Wright-Phillips
(64 & 77), Fowler (67 pen)
Yellow Cards: Bosvelt (51), McManaman (79), Mills (90)
Red Cards: 0
Substitutions: 2
Fowler (for Anelka 45), Flood (for Macken 58)
Injuries: N/A |
| Given |
James |
| Carr |
Mills |
| O'Brien |
Dunne |
| Elliott |
Distin |
| Bernard |
Thatcher |
| Jenas |
Wright-Phillips |
| Butt |
Bosvelt |
| Bowyer |
Sibierski |
| Robert |
McManaman |
| Shearer |
Anelka |
| Bellamy |
Macken |
| Substitutes
Bench |
| Harper |
Waterreus |
|
Hughes |
Negouai |
| Milner |
Jordan |
|
Ambrose |
Flood |
| Ameobi |
Fowler |
| Fouls, Possession, Shots,
Corners & Saves |
| Newcastle |
The
Game |
Man
City |
| 14 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 51% |
Possession |
49% |
| 11 |
Shots
(on target) |
6 |
| 3 |
Shots (off target) |
5 |
| 7 |
Corners |
5 |
| 2 |
Saves |
7 |
Craig Bellamy made his 200th career League appearance and scored his
33rd Newcastle goal. 3rd successive home win. Now 8 games unbeaten
for Graeme Souness and 9 now for the Toon. 700 Premiership points
now recorded. 11 different League scorers this season - more than
any other team in the Premiership. 100th League appearance for Olivier
Bernard.
| How The Goals Were
Scored |
NUFC Goal 49 Minutes: Laurent Robert
Nicky Butt was cynically cut down by Bosvelt 25-yards out. Up stepped
Robert to curl a left-footed effort over the wall and into the back
of James' net, with the Man City keeper stranded. Robert could even
afford a slip just as the ball left his boot. Cracking goal.
NUFC Goal 58 Minutes: Alan Shearer (penalty)
Stephen Carr picked up a one-two from Shearer and made his way into
the box where he was brought down by James. Up stepped Shearer to
bang away his 8th of the season. James didn't even pick up a yellow
and should have been sent off as he was the last man back.
Man City Goal 64 Minutes: Sean Wright-Phillips
The speedy Wright-Phillips raced onto a through-ball before smashing
a right-footed drive past Given to emulate his goal for England in
August's friendly at SJP against Ukraine - in similar fashion and
at the same end too. Cracking goal from a cracking player.
Man City Goal 67 Minutes: Robbie Fowler (penalty)
Fowler was adjudged to have been tripped by Butt in our box, slotting
the penalty away himself. TV replays later showed that Butt got a
foot on the ball. He was yellow carded for his 'foul'.
NUFC Goal 69 Minutes: Robbie Elliott
A Robert free-kick on the right was floated into the direction of
Robbie Elliott, who without knowing much about it, glanced a header
goalwards where it crashed in off the far post and into the back of
the net. Neither James nor City defenders on the line could keep it
out.
Man City Goal 77 Minutes: Sean Wright-Phillips
A punt in the direction of Wright Phillips saw the England man easily
spin Elliott to race clear, before smashing a powerful shot past Given
for his second goal. A goal out of nothing with Elliott at fault with
the defender ball watching and getting too tight. he should have stood
off and faced his man instead of allowing him to turn him. You don't
do that to pacey players. Sloppy goal to give away.
NUFC Goal 89 Minutes: Craig Bellamy
Olivier Bernard was sent clear down our left where he brushed aside
Flood before pulling a great ball back to Bellamy who instantly controlled
it, flicked it up with his left and placed a smashing half volley
past James for a great goal. Goal of the game. Great stuff!
| Match Reaction From
Graeme Souness |
Graeme Souness on the match:
 "I
had to remind them when I walked into the dressing room, I had to
say, 'Look, maybe some of you have not noticed, but I've had open-heart
surgery, there's no way I can have this every week'.
"This is a mad business we're in. Craig makes the headlines last week
and then he's made the headlines this week for the right reasons.
"He's won us the game with that goal. You can see how
our crowd react to him.
"Listen, him and I, I'm sure
we'll have our moments in the future. There's one thing that's not
in doubt, Craig Bellamy is a man who wants to win at everything he
does, and if that's arguments with the manager, sometimes he's going
to have to accept that he won't win.
"But certainly,
you want to work with people who will not lie down, and he's someone
who wants to win in everything he does."
| Match Reaction
From Kevin Keegan |
Kevin Keegan on the game:
"It
was astonishing if you look at 4-3 and get carried away with it, but
the most astonishing thing was that the referee here today was not
strong enough and made too many mistakes, and I've been in and told
him that.
"He got too many decisions wrong. They weren't
major, major decisions, but they had a major impact on the game. I
would like him to look at it and analyse it.
"You've
got to remember how they got in front to 2-0. One was a free-kick
that to me wasn't a free-kick, and the penalty when you see it, you
might dispute it, although you wouldn't argue as an away team playing
here if they get a penalty like that.
"They've got 2-0
up by default, almost. No disrespect to them, they looked like they'd
had a game in midweek, which they had, and whilst we weren't any great
shakes first half, we showed a determination and a character second
half that should have got us something out of this game.
"We got nothing and the players are livid with the referee. I'm going
to be their voice on this and I'll be the one who gets fined, but
he had one today, a major one.
"Let's leave it at that.
That's as nice as I want to be with him. Everyone has a bad day.
"I'm not taking any credit away from Newcastle. I had five
years here and I loved my five years here, and I hope under Graeme
they go on and achieve what we failed to achieve, I've not got any
problems with that.
"It's ironic that you've got Graeme
Souness, who's probably one of the most volatile managers saying 'I
know how you feel, but don't get in trouble'.
"If those
decisions were going like they went for me, I think he'd have long
since have been in his car and going home."
| Your Shout: Toon
Army Match Reaction |
Keefa wrote:
A typical Newcastle performance? Firstly, although it was a very entertaining
match, it's disappointing to see us throw the lead away twice. At
times it was us Vs SWP! Could we make him one of the four signings
in January, please? I think both Bernard and Carr had their best matches
for us and are getting better and better, whereas OB1 seems to be
getting worse. Elliott had a good match, only getting caught out by
SWP's pace. Robert was equal parts brilliant and rubbish. The amount
of space he had in the first half was incredible as SWP's kept drifting
infield, and his failure to capitalise on it was annoying. Butt and
Bowyer both had good games, and it's incredible that Bowyer has still
to score this season. Bellas was his usual busy and defence-scaring
self and finished very well to secure the win for us. Good for him.
Shearer did some good work, but dropped too deep at times to get into
the box at the crucial moment... smashing penalty, though. What else?
The ref was poor but not, I think, biased to us. After all, their
penalty was very soft. Butt got the ball and made no contact, from
what I could see, with Fowler. If JJ went down easily, which he did,
it was simply as a reaction to that bad decision. Should James have
been sent off? Probably, at least a yellow. We'll all have dodgy tickers,
though, if the lads keep this up.
Billy t fish
wrote:
Christ that was nervous. I've not had a chance to see the highlight's
on Sky yet so I'm relying on what I saw at the game. Robert was quiet,
dead balls apart but I think if we have a solid 3 of Jenas, Butt and
Bowyer he's worth keeping for that bit of spark. The Elliott/O'Brien
partnership fails to convince still and though Elliott was at fault
for City's 1st I still think he's playing the better of the 2. The
3 full backs all did ok I felt. I thought both penalty shouts were
good at the time, I'm told Butt got the ball but it was a daft no
need challenge anyway. Fowler was coming inside on his weaker foot
and had 3 men around him and precious little support. If ours was
a penalty James should have been sent off or booked at least. Butt
and Bowyer bossed the midfield first half, though Bowyer missed another
great chance. He must start scoring soon surely. Jenas made a couple
of good runs and played some good balls and had a decent game. Shearer
got little change in the air first half, but dropped deep to good
effect in the second and put a cool penalty away. And Bellamy, well
he was himself... We must stop throwing away leads though, at 2-0
yesterday all we had to do was stay tight for 15 minutes but we didn't. |
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