The game at Upton Park ended all square this afternoon at 2-2 after Newcastle were lackadaisical in the first 25 minutes but came back with 2 goals in the last 3 minutes of the half to even it at half time. There was no score in the second period and a draw may have even been a fair result on the day.
West Ham started the game strongly and after only 10 minutes went ahead when Mark Noble was in tons of room in the penalty area and the England under-21 star hitting the ball beyond Steve Harper to give the Hammers an early lead.
How Noble got so much room is a mystery and the Newcastle players argue after the game as to who missed the assignment.
Newcastle struggled early in the game to get any kind of midfield control and looked half asleep. Then West Ham went further ahead when Bobby Zamora flicked on a long ball downfield, and Dean Ashton fired the ball home low past Harper, giving the Hammers a deserved two goal lead.
Newcastle started the game poorly and their first attack of the game was after 36 minutes when McCartney, the former Sunderland player, headed clear from a Geremi cross.
After 42 minutes Newcastle pulled a goal back and it was that man Oba Martins who chased a through ball from Joey Barton, and beautifully poked the ball past Robert Green to make it a 2-1 scoreline.
Yes – Oba scored again today
Three minutes later West Ham failed to clear a Habib Beye cross from the right and the ball fell to Martins who smashed the ball into the penalty area where Geremi turned the ball past Green with an instinctive header.
It’s Geremi’s second goal of the season and a great time to score, to amazingly put Newcastle level at the half.
In the second half the game again opened up in the last 20 minutes, and just like the Portsmouth game, either side could have won it but the game ended all square at 2-2, with no goals coming in the final period.
On 54 minutes Ashton found himself one-on-one with Edgar much like for the second goal but the Canadian blocks the striker’s shot, and the ball runs free to Boa Morte who thumps a shot just inches wide of Harper’s far post.
After an hour Barton tried to spring Martins clear again, but McCartney looks to have won the race but Martins robbed the full back. Martins laid the ball off to Viduka who tried to get the ball to Owen but but Lucas Neill made a good clearance.
Then on 80 minutes it was goalkeeper Steve Harper to Newcastle’s rescue and he brilliantly produces a one-handed save to divert Ashton’s vicious, 12-yard drive over the crossbar. A fabulous save by the Magpies goalkeeper to keep Newcastle level.
Then the ball bounced up off the arm of Newcastle captain Michael Owen but referee Rennie waved play on.
The game ended at 2-2 and it will now be almost impossible for Newcastle to overtake West Ham who remain 5 points clear of the Magpies with just 2 games left.
If we had started this game a little more awake we have been able to get the victory but for the first 30 minutes we were second best to a Hammers side who started the game in a much more determined manner.
That was the disappointing thing about today’s game, but the lads still had the courage to fight back from 2-0 down, and we cannot be too hard on them for showing guts and spirit once again.
We now have 43 points, which equals last season’s total, which was the worst ever in the Premier league. Our next game is against Chelsea a week on Monday at St. James’ Park, and that promises to be a real humdinger after Chelsea best Manchester United 2-1 earlier today, to go level on points with the Red Devils. Man United are still top now on goal difference.
Finally, Sunderland beat Middlesbrough 3-2, so are now mathematically safe from relegation, which is good because that means we can do the double over them next year. 😀
Comments very welcome.
38 comments so far
goalcentre.com
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Comment #1Highlights:-
http://www.goalcentre.com/west-ham-vs-newcastle-highlights/
tapir
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Comment #27 game unbeaten..
amazing….welcome to SJP Keegan!!!
reinforcement needed
-World class defender
-world class mid-2 at least
Ashton wuld be good also…
Tom4NUFC
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Comment #3now there isnt even 10th place to fight for after the modric saga, this is a real let down
rlw
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Comment #4harps save f me it was brill
nitro
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Comment #5i actually hope we lose against chelsea to give them a chance for the title..hate manure!!
Leo
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Comment #6well as i said before i would not be crying if we lost so a point is good after the start we made, its good to see us play poorly and still gain some points.
Vitorbarbosa
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Comment #7Our season start on the summer. Don’t waste your time wondering this short term effect. We will be please if we safe from relegation. We will be extremely happy if can reach over 40 points. It must be a dream if we can avoid the lowest season tally at 43 points. We achieved all that, in a single month.
Move forward from now. We can do much better if this form carried into next season. We don’t aim for the title. We aim for europe. A few draws won’t set us back.
Move step–by-step and we will reach the top.
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Comment #8Well id have taken that this morning and even more so half an hour in!
belfast toon
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Comment #9Tom4NUFC ,LIGHTEN UP !! This could of been embarrassing we showed real character (some thing BSA couldn’t ) and I don’t think modric was the man anyway diego looks a far better prospect we should push the boat out for this guy. Just look at this on you tube (Diego vs Modrić )
toonjon
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Comment #10that link doesnt work for me. is there any other way of watching the highlights
belfast toon
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Comment #11couldn’t agree more nitro in my opinion in the scum bag top five their is
1 HITLER
2 MAN U SUPPORTERS
3 MAKEMS
4 SADAM HUSSIEN
5 FRED WEST
Mad_Magpie
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Comment #12Wasn’t convincing. I don’t think we’ll get anything out of the remaining two games, but at least we’re safe. I would have taken 17th 6 weeks ago.
It will be interesting so see how we play against top quality opposition in Chelsea, compared to the drab sides we’ve beaten like Sunderland and Fulham. I’m not convinced this 4 3 3 is a long term option of success. It’s guided us to safety but we need more creativity and wing play to go further. It’s an important summer ahead.
People need to forget about Modric, the season hasn’t even finished yet and there are plenty of other players out there. With £15m we could get three less well known but similar in quality players. We’ll prove to Modric that he chose the wrong club.
Proud to be Black & White formaly know as John
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Comment #13belfast toon were not going to get Deigo..Everyone on here seems to think we can attract that type off player when its obvious after going for Modric and Woodgate we cant…
We can keep going for these super stars , and everybody gets excited and then what do you know..Totenham get them , or top 4 side get them..
Realisticly I dont think we’ll get a “world Class ” player at this club in the summer, we’ll just buy very good ones ..
Bobby Ollox
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Comment #14Didnt see a kick so dont know how we played – but to come back from 2:0 down means either they were very crap, or we showed some spirit.
I’m pleased with a point from this game – the NUSSLB could still be dangerous on their day.
(Thats Newcastle United Second String – London Branch)
ScottyT
Apr 26, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Comment #15sorry nitro but if u wish us to lose any game ur not a true supporter. i hope we win chelsea cos i want us to finish 11th ahed of the scum that is spurs. oh and also cos i support newcastle.
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Comment #16We need logical players who fit into our side and give us the right balance.
————————Given————————
—Beye——Taylor———Faye—–Bridge—
-Wright-Phillips–Barton–Veloso–McGeady-
———————Owen–Crouch——————-
Subs: Harper, Edgar, Enrique, Emre, Milner, Martins, Viduka
Veloso would sit and spread the ball about, While Barton could drive forward As would the pacey wingers and attacking full backs in the above side which would give us a real threat down the wide areas as well and create plenty for Chances for our strikers.
nitro
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Comment #17————————Krul————————
—Carr——Edgar———Diatta—–N’zogbia—
-Milner–Barton–Smith–Duff-
——————Owen–Carrol——————-
:ets give chelsea a run for thier money with this team!!
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Comment #18Excuse me Man Utd fans worse than Mackems what are you on
rlw
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Comment #19nether keeper will stay while the other one is here CRAIGG
belfast toon
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Comment #20Proud to be Black & White formaly know as John Money talks i’siad it before beckam didn’t go to galaxy to futher his career and no one thought we would get owen
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Comment #21Says who theyve been mates for years and both have shared responsibility the last 2 seasons
belfast toon
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Comment #22vgood craig I’m from belfast mate i’ve only ever met one mackem (in the dole office) but this place is festerd with scum fans and more toon fans than you might think we have our supporters club mettings in the phone box down my street
rlw
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Comment #23but they both want 1st team football given will spit his dummy if he is not in unlike harps who deserves it after 15 years
zhun
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Comment #24can i ask a question?
Some of you mentioned diego.
Does Diego being linked to us?sources?
I like him but to be honest, we couldn’t lure modric and woodgate, so i don’t think he will come to us too. Hes a worldclass player.
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Comment #25Harper only never spat his dummy out because he knew Given was the better keeper and will be when he gets back from injury.
GazzaToon
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Comment #26yh nitro how can you want your team to lose!! i would like to see us get something against chelsea although our record against them is poor and we shoudl be able to get something against everton as they are playing terrible at the moment with out cahill. i would also like to see us finish above spurs as i had a £100 bet with my mate whose a yid at the start of the season that we would finish above them!! cummon the toon!!
Proud to be Black & White formaly know as John
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Comment #27could’nt agree more zhun
belfast toon
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Comment #28i’m i the only one wondering why harper hasn’t ever made the england squad and i mean squad surely he is in for a shout given the current crop of shit between the sticks
Scott H11
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Comment #29I heard Edgar got carried off with a serious head injury, can anyone shed some light on how he is? He has been taken to hospital ! Good away point, defence’s record of late is top class !
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Comment #30Harper never made the England squad as he has never been good enough to get in the Newcastle team:
He is the 8th choice English keeper
James
Kirkland
Carson
Robinson
Green
Hart
Foster
belfast toon
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Comment #31I know craigg but he is in blistering form of late I wouldn’t be suprised. Or have I got my black on white tinted glasses on again.
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Comment #32I like harper and as you say he is in fine form at the minute but maybe Capello is just expecting him to be back on the bench as soon as Shay gets back next season
He would be ahead of James, Carson, Robinson and Foster for me but i am a huge fan of Kirkland and Hart so he would make the squad as 2nd or 3rd choice if i was boss, Which im not obviously!
rlw
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Comment #33i would be worried if you were boss
CRAIGG
Apr 26, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Comment #34Im sure i could do better than Allardyce
Scott H11
Apr 26, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Comment #35Edgar received 7 stitches in his head, I’m happy with a point even though our CB’s were run ragged by Ashton in the first 25 mins who by all accounts was very impressive. Not so long back we would have showed our backsides in Fenwicks window for a point in London so lets not be too hard on our defence today
ScottyT
Apr 27, 2008 at 3:09 AM
Comment #36out of them keepers i think harper is a match for all atm. only ones id put near him are hart green and foster.
realistically though he wont get picked. not sure why but just reckon he wont. gr8 keeper.
hanzowen
Apr 27, 2008 at 7:28 AM
Comment #37nah we must try to beat Chelsea (whoever on our way) at SJP.. no mercy here, though that means give ManUre the title, can’t help it.
Howay Newcastle United.
Ian
Apr 27, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Comment #38I do not think that we should sell Gerami, I think that we should try and find a better player in addition to him.
We have made the mistake of selling players who score and replacing them with better players who dont, I think Gerami is a very cool composed player and he hangs on for the better pass/shot. He has a lazy looking style which makes him look half the player he actually is, we need to keep him, he is 10 times better than Emre and he scores and purposely passes to players who score, no wild kicks forward or silly shots, keep him.
The three striker routine works fantastically well for us, they chose to mark Owen out of the game this time and it freed up Martins, they cannot cover all three, at Sunderland Martins was marked out of the game.