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Toon Player Ratings Vs Aston Villa (a)
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 Match
Date: 11 February 2006
By Paul
Mosley
An in depth look at each individual performance from Newcastle's 2-1
win against Aston Vill at Villa Park, rating the players, the manager,
Toon fans and the referee. Also included in our match analysis are
ratings for Villa.
Players |
Shay Given - 9 |
Shay Given in penalty save shock! It wasn’t a difficult penalty to
save, but given that those would usually go in, and that he had gone
the wrong way, it was a brilliant reaction from him to push it over
the bar. He also produced a magnificent save from Angel’s late effort
and did well to gather some dangerous crosses. Where would we be without
him?
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Peter Ramage - 6 |
Hard to know what to say about Ramage really. He defended solidly
on the whole but was regularly beaten in the air. Was unlucky not
to find the net with a 1st half header.
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Jean-Alain Boumsong - 8 |
Boum is back. He was a key element of the magnificent 2nd half defensive
display which ensured we held on to all 3 points, throwing himself
at just about everything and he was solid in the air too. He seems
to have regained his confidence and his performances are improving
as a result. Also should have scored with a 1st half header which
somehow bounced over.
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Titus Bramble - 9 |
The other half of the B Team at the back for United, Bramble was just
as good as his partner. While he allowed Moore to get in front of
him for the Villa goal, it was quick movement from the striker and
only a minor error. Other than that his display was just about faultless
as he won every ball, and could even have had a goal himself as he
charged forward early in the 2nd half.
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Celestine Babayaro - 7 |
Until he was unluckily sent off, the Nigerian had put in a good shift,
supporting N’Zogbia well down the left hand side and defending solidly.
He was a bit unlucky for the penalty, there was minimal contact at
best and I’m not sure it can technically be classed as an Obvious
Goalscoring Opportunity. Nevertheless, he will miss only the game
against Southampton.
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Nobby Solano - 8 |
Nobby really is back to his best, and this return to form just so
happens to have coincided with his return to playing wide right, and
that cannot be coincidence. Intricate passing and neat touches, together
with some excellent crosses from the right flank, and also a big hand
in both goals made for a superb shift from the Nobby until he departed
the fray early as usual, this time in a tactical move to shore up
the defence. Pathetically booed by the jealous home supporters.
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Parker - 9 |
Scott really is back on form, and surely on performances like this
he cannot continue to be ignored by the England Manager. He was absolutely
everywhere as usual, making crucial tackles, challenges and interceptions.
He also stole into the box and could have won a penalty late on, and
was a vital part of our corner tactics late on. Made some fantastic
crunching challenges, one of which on the despicable Hendrie (earns
him bonus points) saw him unjustly cautioned by the referee. Simply
magnificent.
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Emre - 9 |
Whenever we were under a bit of pressure in the middle of the park,
the little Turkish magician was there to pull a rabbit out of the
hat and get us out of trouble with some absolutely delightful play.
His set pieces were also a constant threat for Villa, causing havoc
whenever he swung in a delivery. He makes us tick, and is a joy to
have in the side.
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Charles N'Zogbia - 8 |
Wide left, another great display and a goal for the second week in
a row. Charlie is full of energy and could give any right-back a torrid
time on his day. On Saturday it was the turn of Aaron Hughes to be
run ragged as N’Zogbia twisted, turned, dribbled and shuffled beyond
him, proving a constant threat to Villa. The goal was, like last week,
a cool finish after a parry from the goalkeeper despite being surrounded
by defenders and having very little to aim at. Take a bow son.
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Alan Shearer - 9 |
After the joy of the 201st last week, there was to be no goal this
week, but his performance was even better at Villa Park. His hold-up
play was absolutely fantastic, which allowed us to build up to moves
properly. He dominated the Villa centre halves in the air, and played
a superb part in both goals. He was so close to getting his 202nd,
but for Delaney’s incredible clearance, and he worked bloody hard
for the cause too. His best performance in a long time, well done
Captain Fantastic.
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Shola Ameobi - 9 (My man of the match) |
Is Ameobi finally starting to show long overdue promise under new
management? This was his 2nd top display in a week, with this one
even better than last week. He was a constant threat to Villa’s defenders,
gave them a torrid time in the air and was superb on the floor as
well. His play at times was reminiscent of his partner. He took his
goal absolutely superbly, for the old Shola would have blasted that
straight at the goalkeeper, but this Shola took his time and coolly
beat Sorensen. He was unlucky not to add a second when his powerful
effort was deflected wide by Mellberg. Don’t forget he’s injured,
and that he returned to the field after picking up a different injury
in the second half. Shola the warrior, Shola the Man of the Match.
Subs |
Robbie Elliott (67 mins, for Solano) – 7 – Steadied
the ship and even had a nosebleed moment of his own.
Kieron Dyer (69 mins, for Ameobi) – 7 – Gave us vital
pace and a new dimension when we needed it most.
Lee Bowyer (85 mins, for N’Zogbia) – 5 – Fought hard
for the little time he was on.
Boss Man |
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Glenn Roeder - 9 |
Unchanged team, unchanged tactics, and 2 wins in a row for Glenn.
Made the right changes at the right times, and crucially the team
kept going right to the end for him. Can’t complain at all, he’s doing
a grand job of managing us right now, and while it continues it removes
the pressure to get a new manager ASAP.
Mags |
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Toon Fans - 9 |
Despite the obvious handicap of an away end cut in 2, the atmosphere
did not suffer and we sang all afternoon, other than a brief period
of quiet after the Villa goal. Fantastic support which was matched
by the lads on the field for once.
Referee |
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Mike Riley - 4 |
Anyone who read this week's Referee Watch will know that you could
write an encyclopedia about Mike Riley's controversial impact on matches,
and Saturday produced the latest chapter. Throughout the game he missed
a number of fouls, and was consistent at least in his inconsistency
of penalising strikers/defenders for climbing/backing in. The penalty
award was incorrect but in his defence from his angle it probably
looked like there was contact, and he doesn't need a second invitation
to point to the spot (for the 10th time this season), or show a red
card (for the 9th time this season), which was also very harsh as
I do not believe Celestine Denied an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity.
A performance to forget.
Opposition |
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Aston Villa |
Thomas Sorensen – 6 – Not at fault for goals.
Aaron Hughes – 5 – Shouldn’t have been sold, but
didn’t have a good day, run ragged by Charlie.
Olof Mellberg – 3 – Given a torrid time by Shearer
and Ameobi.
Mark Delaney – 7 – Probably the pick for Villa. Hit
the bar and brilliantly cleared off the line.
Jlloyd Samuel – 5 – Given a torrid time by Solano.
Craig Gardner – 7 – Decent debut.
Lee Hendrie – 4 – Despicable, missed from close range,
carried off. Gutted.
Gareth Barry – 6 – Worked hard but had no chance
against Emre and Parker.
Peter Whittingham – 5 – Never in it.
Luke Moore – 7 – Caused problems.
Kevin Phillips – 4 – Ratboy did nowt.
Subs
Milan Baros (for Hendrie, 55 mins) – 5 – Penalty
miss and not much else.
Juan Pablo Angel (for Phillips, 55 mins) – 6 – Almost grabbed
the equaliser with a great effort.
Liam Ridgewell (for Gardner, 59 mins) – 4 – Didn’t
give away a penalty this time.
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