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Match Report By
Gaz
Pearson (07 November 2005)
It was little Turkish star Emre who once again proved to be the match-winner. The game itself was far from sparkling as Birmingham arrived on Tyneside with one plotted objective - do not lose. They opted to swamp the centre of the pitch with a five-man midfield leaving forgotten England man Emile Heskey as the lone striker. For a good three-quarters of the match it looked as if Bruce’s men were going to snatch a point, and at one stage they looked favourites to take all three. The first half was nothing spectacular but for the footballing puritan I suppose it was a good half of containment football from both teams, in particular the well-disciplined Birmingham defence. Speaking of defence, Newcastle boss Souness opted to partner Bramble with Taylor at centre-half - replacing the injured Boumsong. While Shearer was also preferred up front to partner Owen, Ameobi dropped to the bench after failing to impress against West Brom last weekend. Yet to be fair to Shola, neither Alan nor Michael set St. James' alight in the first-half. With both teams level at half-time, most people were now settling in for a cracking second half... the game could only improve. Sure enough, it did! Well only just. It seemed both teams had had a rocketing off both their respective managers during the half-time interval. To Birmingham’s credit their plotted defensive stance did change in the second-half as they looked to ignite some life into their attacks. Although they remained contained and disciplined they did start to play some attractive counter-attacking football that, at times, tore into the Toon defence. Yet to be fair, our lads at the back did really well in protecting Given, who only made one real stop when he turned away a low Heskey drive. Indeed, as Birmingham counter-attacked one man really shone. On loan Chelsea star Jiri Jarosik. Throughout the afternoon he had let rip some rocketing shots but none really troubled Shay. Yet midway in the second-half, Jarosik lit up the entire game with a thunderous 35-yard drive. As Given scrambled through the air, it appeared that this rocket was going to burst the net... but thankfully it bounced back of the corner of the post and bar. What a strike! Birmingham were unlucky not to take the lead.
However, Newcastle are on somewhat of an upturn in fortunes and as wave after wave of Birmingham pressure started to recede it was United who took the lead. Michael Owen kept his head, although all of St. James' was willing him to shoot, before laying the ball back to Babayaro, who in turn passed to substitute Ameobi. It was then time for that lad Emre to unleash a rocket of his own. However, his shot wasn’t a real screamer but it proved too hot for Maik Taylor in the Birmingham net. The ball appeared to burn his hands before crossing the line with 12 minutes remaining. Bruce’s plot had failed. During the match the rain poured down over the Old Gallowgate, but the match itself didn’t need any help in putting out the flames. Indeed, the fire never really started. Yet a win is a win and in this match that was the most important thing. Birmingham’s losing streak continues but Newcastle continue to enjoy perhaps the first real purple patch of Graeme Souness’ tenure as manager. With Chelsea up next, will this run continue?
Lineups & Match Stats
Booked: Taylor, Shearer, Emre. Goals: Emre 78. Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Upson, Clapham, Pennant, Izzet (Forssell 86), Kilkenny, Lazaridis (Pandiani 86), Jarosik, Heskey. Subs not used: Vaesen, Tebily, Painter. Booked: Lazaridis, Izzet. Att: 52,191 Referee: Mike Dean (Cheshire).
Post-Match Reaction: Newcastle
"What you have seen is two Newcastles in the space of seven days. "Last week, we were attractive and we passed it well and got some well-worked goals. "Today it was about scrapping with a team who were fighting for their lives, a team who came with five across the middle and one up front. "They never caused us any problems other than free-kicks when they got them in and around our box. It was a scrappy affair, but we have the three points. "We have all been involved in games like that and we will be involved in games like that again. "Steve Bruce is a Geordie, Steve Bruce knows very well what this Newcastle United is all about. "When I brought teams here, the thing we used to drum into them was frustrate the crowd, frustrate the crowd and sooner or later, that nervousness would transmit itself on to the pitch. "That didn't happen today and the crowd deserve a special mention for that."
Post-Match Reaction: Steve Bruce
"Unfortunately, it sums our season up, or what has been the last three months. "It's just that way. It obviously can't continue and it's difficult to take, but that's as good a performance as we have given, especially away from home." |
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Match Report: Newcastle United 1-0 Birmingham City 
