No Toon Return For Nobby Solano?
Former Toon midfielder Nolberto Solano
looks unlikely to make a much anticipated return to St. James' Park
where a fantastic reception awaits, because of that old chess nut
again - his international commitments with Peru.
The little Peruvian is expected to play in Peru's World Cup 2006 Qualifiers
against Brazil on the 26th of March and Ecuador on the 30th, meaning
he will struggle to make United's match with Villa on the 2nd of April.
Solano had this to say:
"I'd love to play Newcastle where I have great memories but I'll
be flying for 12 hours.
"I won't be back until late and I don't think the manager will play
me as it is such a long flight.
"We'll see whether he decides to put me on the substitute's bench
but we have a lot of midfielders trying to get into the team."
Meanwhile United's last League fixture of 2004-05 at home to Chelsea
will screened live on Sky Sports, a Sunday 3pm kick-off on the 15th
of May. Lets hope it's not Big Al's last game of his career...
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Athens - A Night For Toon Milestones
Last night's 3-1 win over Olympiakos
was a night for Toon milestones.
Kieron Dyer: The No.8 made his 200th Toon appearance
in all competitions over in Athens.
Laurent Robert: The Frenchamn scored his 5th goal of
the season and 5th in European competitions for United, a goal
which came in his 170th game for the club.
Alan Shearer: Big Al grabbed his 25th goal in Europe,
in just 42 games.
Patrick Kluivert: The Dutchman grabbed his 10th goal
in a Toon shirt, his 5th in Europe for NUFC and 40th altogether.
UEFA Cup: We are unbeaten in 10 games in Europe now and
the goal we conceded was the 60th in the competition.
Nicky Butt: The No.4 made his 20th appearance for Newcastle
last night.
Amdy Faye: The midfielder has played 8 games for United
now and has yet to play in a losing Toon side.
Goals: Kluivert's 69th minute goal was the 70th goal
NUFC have scored this season - in 42 games.
On top of all that, Graeme Souness' men are the first side ever
to beat Olympiakos at their new Georgios Karaiskaki Stadium
and it's now just one defeat in 14 for the Scot.
All in all a great night I would say.
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Greek Media Hail Shearer The God!
The
Greek Newspaper 'Sport Tu Vora', reporting on Olympiakos' 3-1
defeat last night goes with the headline: "GOD EXISTS". So we
aren't the only ones who refer to the No.9 as the almighty one
then...
UEFA Cup: Olympiakos 1-3 NUFC
Newcastle United beat Olympiakos 3-1
last night in an enthralling, action packed game to become the
first ever side to beat the Athens team at their new Georgios
Karaiskaki Stadium and in doing so, becoming only the second
English side to beat the Greeks on their home patch.
United fielded an attacking lineup in a 4-4-2 formation and
from the kick-off the Toon, wearing their lucky European yellow
away jersey, got at Oly with the Red & White striped side also
causing trouble down the flanks. Goals seemed inevitable but
nobody could have foreseen the controversy that was to follow.
On 13 minutes Kieron Dyer through on goal, with the keeper stranded
in the air, only had to head the ball into what was an empty
net but Georgatos pushed the No.8 in the back, sending the England
man to the floor. As the last man the ref awarded a penalty
and sent of the bald headed Greek to huge jeers and boos from
the partizan home crowd.
Up stepped Alan Shearer to score his 25th European goal for
United. 1-0 and an all important away goal.
Just 3 minutes later and the referee awarded the home side a
penalty, a fairly innocuous one at that. A free-kick was floated
in and Andy O'Brien was adjudged to have pushed Stoltidis with
both men falling to the floor. It wasn't a penalty, they both
had a hold of each other. Up stepped Djordjevic to smash home
his penalty. 1-1 and game on.
By this stage the game was wide open, both teams enjoying success
down the flanks with Dyer in particular a threat on the right.
On 34 minutes Laurent Robert put us back into the lead with
a superb 25-yard free-kick, curled into the top hand corner
of the net. A great goal and 2-1.
Into the second half with United coasting, Olympiakos went down
to 9 men with Kostoulas picking up his second yellow of the
game, amid some confusion. The noise levels increased and so
did United's superiority.
On 69 minutes Patrick Kluivert grabbed his 10th of the season
and 40th in European football, sliding in a neat goal after
some excellent wing play from James Milner who came on as a
second half sub. 3-1 and the game was over.
United players and officials were pelted with various objects
at the final whistle when they trooped off. A great win for
the Toon who have given themselves a great chance of reaching
the last 8.
Well done Graeme and the lads. Our 6th successive win to cap
off a great few weeks.
Teams
United: Given, Carr, O'Brien, Bramble, Hughes, Dyer (Jenas
60), Butt, Faye (N'Zogbia 84), Robert (Milner 60), Shearer,
Kluivert. Subs not used: Harper, Ameobi, Taylor, Bowyer.
Booked: Andrew O'Brien, Carr.
Olympiakos: Nikopolidis, Mavrogenidis, Schurrer, Kostoulas,
Anatolakis, Maric, Stoltidis, Djordjevic (Kafes 76), Georgatos,
Rivaldo (Giovanni 65), Okkas (Pantos 65).
Subs not used: Giannou, Castillo, Vallas, Filipakos.
Sent Off: Georgatos (11), Kostoulas (44)
Booked: Kostoulas, Djordjevic
Att: 33,000
Ref: Arturo Dauden Ibanez (Spain)
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Kevin Keegan Leaves Man City
From the BBC:
Manchester City have confirmed that manager Kevin Keegan
has left the club 15 months ahead of his expected departure
date.
The 54-year-old goes after just over three-and-a-half years
in charge to end his career in management.
"We all believe this is in the best interests of the club,"
said an official club statement.
"His professionalism, infectious enthusiasm and drive for success
have benefited all areas of the club."
News of Keegan's exit broke late on Thursday night, but despite
his premature departure, Keegan's stint in charge - three years
and 10 months - makes him City's longest-serving manager for
26 years.
And while the club begins the search for its 10th manager in
just 12 years, coach Stuart Pearce will be responsible for first-team
affairs until the end of the season, with Tottenham away his
first game on 19 March.
Pearce at helm for rest of season.
Good luck to King Kev and of course Stuart Pearce, another Toon
old boy. |
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