Newcastle United went down to a poor Spurs side tonight, in a dismal, disappointing and depressing display that lacked heart, skill, passion and just about everything else you may want to see in a football game.
Two second half goals on 62 minutes from impressive Pavlyuchenko with a great header (where was Coloccini or Taylor) and then a terrible giveaway goal from Coloccini was enough to give Tottenham a two goal cushion, before Owen fired home on 90 minutes when Spurs goalkeeper Gomes could also push away a cross straight into Michael’s path.
The killer punch was after 66 minutes when Coloccini had the ball in the left back position and passed inside to Taylor, who made less than a determined effort to get the ball and Jamie O’Hara dispossessed him and was clean through on goal and gave poor Shay Given no chance. It’s the type of goal you give away when you are not concentrating on the game.
The Newcastle side have some good players, there’s no doubt about that, but their heads are just not in these games, and it’s obvious what the reason is.
But they are professionals who get paid huge wages so it’s difficult to feel sorry for them.
The first half was quite even with very few chances but the game was being played very slowly by two sides determined not to give any silly goals away, but it was a dreary and dead match for the fans, who didn’t turn out in big numbers.
Probably the best way to sum up the first half was when the TC commentator, right at the beginning of the second half said:
“If you’ve just got in and missed the first half – congratulations”
The second half was better, but only because it was hard to get any worse, and it was anybody’s game to win. Then an innocuous cross on 62 minutes saw the Russian Pavlyuchenko lose his markers and head beautifully home – to make it look so easy.
Then four minutes later the mistake by Coloccini sealed Newcastle fate, and their fourth defeat in a row.
Damien Duff had had a good chance to put Newcastle ahead after 48 minutes, when he was brilliantly put through by Martins, but his right foot shot was just cleared off the line by Jonathan Woodgate.
But the first goal in this game was always going to be crucial and Newcastle tonight looked like a team in dire danger of relegation, if somebody doesn’t come to the rescue.
And where was owner Mike Ashley and the Newcastle Board of Directors while this shambles was taking place?
Nowhere to be seen – once again.
TEAMS
Newcastle United: Shay Given, Fabricio Coloccini, Claudio Cacapa, Steven Taylor, Sebastien Bassong, Charles N’Zogbia, Nicky Butt, Geremi, Damien Duff, Oba Martins, Michael Owen
Subs: Steve Harper, Xisco, Shola Ameobi, David Edgar, Ben Tozer, Ryan Donaldson, Mark Doninger
Tottenham Hotspur: THFC: Heurelho Gomes, Gareth Bale, Didier Zokora, Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka, Jamie O’Hara, Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Jonathan Woodgate
Subs: David Bentley, Darren Bent, Gilberto, Luka Modric, Giovani dos Santos, Fraizer Campbell, Ceasr Sanchez
52 comments so far
bill
Sep 24, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Comment #41Steven Taylor is very lucky that we are down to the bare bones because as some have already said, he is getting worse not better.
I used to think that he would learn as he got older but he still keeps making schoolboy errors. The one tonight was shocking; if he couldn’t turn he should have hoofed the ball and O’Hara upfield (clean them out, that is what good defenders do).
The first goal at the weekend by the West Ham player was his fault as well, he went diving in and the guy just juggled it past him; he needs someone to show him how to defend, but if that’s the case perhaps he is wasting his time. Like some find it easy in front of goal others find it easy to defend.
The way he spreads himself in the penalty area always annoys me because he has already given away a few penalties doing this.
I’m afraid Steven Taylor has some attributes, but good defending isn’t one of them.
The good news is that we have a decent amount of good players out injured and suspended, and hopefully they will be back sooner rather than later.
Edd Case
Sep 24, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Comment #42I just got in and watched the game…
My word, Nicky Butt had a real stinker, as did Geremi and as for the hopeless Taylor…
Duff was no better, can’t wait to see Spidey back in the team.
We are such a poor outfit…
We’re going to be right in the dog poop come December, let’s just prayer that we have new owners, a decent manager and a wad of cash to buy in some decent players.
Dannufc
Sep 24, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Comment #43ANYONE WHO SLAGS XISCO OFF IS A COMPLETE BELL END! ffs if the fans are this negative we will go down.
Colo i firmly believe is a class player. Taylor was a disgrace tonight.
brutooooon
Sep 25, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Comment #44Taylor cause the goal and thats why we lose !
Butt – grandad and need to be replace asap by january….a good player but the age factor usual cause his performance drop especiall 2nd half.
Zoggy- he might not be the best decision maker, but i still prefer him to play now(looking there is no one on the bench….same goes to duff)
Positive-both martin and bassong start today which is good. bassong would definitely started on sat at left back. is jose enrique is back, taylor bench bassong CB.
Martin-i love this lad…hope he be fit the whole season
hmh
Sep 25, 2008 at 3:05 AM
Comment #45poor performence
lack of creativities at midfielder and the stability of defender must be question out..Why playing cacapa at defensive midfielder? He’e never be better than alan smith if palying at that side..
if me have the chance to select 11 player for playing,this my best choice
-Given-
taylor /edgar collo bassong enrique
butt/geremi
duff n’zogbia
owen martins
xisco
ginkoh
Sep 25, 2008 at 4:31 AM
Comment #46I think Bassong is waste in left back because he never go forward and let our attack limited plus Cacapa and Butt in the center. OH god, What the XXXXing midfield pair.
cg
Sep 25, 2008 at 9:04 AM
Comment #47Wow normally you’re looking forward to the next season about half way, not after 3-4 matches :/
Has to be a new record.
Maybe next summer we’d be hoping for season right around silly season.
SouthLincsToon
Sep 25, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Comment #48Maybe the result would’ve been different with 30, 40 or 50,000 fans.
Just goes to show that the commutable Toon fans see a “Stay-Away” protest as more important than attempting to win the League Cup
Heavy hitters
Sep 25, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Comment #49Bassong was my momtm, played very tight at LB. I would have him at CB if we had a decent LB. Our midfield is pathetic and is putting a lot of pressure on our weak defence. The only players that impress me at the club are Given / Harper, Bassong, Owen and Jonas.
I’ve said for a few years now STEVEN TAYLOR is poor player and no better than the much maligned Titus Bramble, in fact he is more error prone. We have to get rid of him but because the squad is so small we would have to keep him on the bench at the moment. Colo has been dragged down by him, Bassong / Colo would be an ideal CB pairing. To think we sold Faye and kept Taylor. Has any of you ever wondered why NO club ever inqures about him. Championship beckons Steven me owld son !
MAG PIE
Sep 25, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Comment #50I was there last night and didn’t think we played all that bad. However, two stupid errors cost us – Butt giving the ball away for the 1st goal and Taylor trying to be too clever for 2nd.
But THE most annoying aspect of all – Geremi’s corners (and to a lesser extent – NZogbia’s in the last minute). WHY OH WHY is it so hard for him to beat the first man. In open play he can cross effectively so why can’t he take a corner? AND if he is so bad at corners, why do the management keep giving him that role? Aaaarrggghhhh.
xfer
Sep 25, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Comment #51We were so desperate when it comes to defending. Where were the defenders for the first goal? I could have scored that too.
jorge
Sep 25, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Comment #52wait for Nacho!!! You will see, be confident although I know is difficult.