In an unlikely result for Newcastle United this afternoon, they held the Chelsea team to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge, with a gallant and brave defensive display against the League leaders this afternoon.
The team refused to give up the game, even though they were under tremendous pressure at times, and it was a great point for Newcastle.
Chelsea had their chances but were unable to put them away and probably the closest they came was on 54 minutes when Joe Cole had the ball in the back of the net, but on TV replays, he was clearly seen to be in an offside position.
Then after 61 minutes a free kick almost caught Shay Given out when he took the ball high on his goal line, and he just managed to keep the ball in play as he extended his arms to keep the ball from going across the line. It was close but it was not a goal.
Then after 89 minutes Ballack had maybe the best chance, when he was through on the left, but put the ball wide of Given’s right hand post, to the goalkeeper’s relief.
Newcastle looked well organized throughout in defense, and absorbed terrific pressure from the Chelsea side but were unwilling to wilt at any time. A tremendously courageous effort from the black and whites, that rightly made their fans very proud.
Whether you like Joe Kinnear or not, you have to give it to the manager for getting his players never to accept defeat, and this was his very first clean sheet, away from home, of his brief reign at Newcastle. And away to Chelsea isn’t too bad. We also had a clean sheet against another very good side, Aston Vlla.
We had to have some heroes at the back for Newcastle and nobody played better than 22 year-old Seb Bassong, who had an outstanding game, against one of the best teams in Europe. This has to give the young lad some confidence, and alongside the Frenchman Coloccini was again this solid self.
An unlikely point for Newcastle, but we’ll take it and it takes the lads up to 15th position in the league.
After the defense has missed Steven Taylor in the last couple of games, and poor defensive play has cost us two potential wins, this has to be a wonderful performance for Joe Kinnear from his players, and the Newcastle coaching staff have done their work to have Newcastle playing so much tighter in defense.
If we can play as well as this in defense, then there’s no reason whatsoever why we cannot beat a lot of teams away from home – but this has to give Joe and the lads – not to mention the fans – a lot of confidence.
Let’s give the lads some credit today, because they deserve the accolades, as they fought all the way against a more talented Chelsea side.
But if we can fight like this, and get a result against a side like Chelsea, and can get some new players in during January, we may not be in too bad a shape.
Comments very welcome.
64 comments so far
Spyro
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Comment #41No Kevin, your point about Enrique is not “end of”, i disagree with you completely.
Waddle's mullet
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Comment #42Guthrie was fantastic at times!
Jesus christ I have heard it all now.
We done very well to shut them out.
End of !
spyrod
KK FOREVER (Ross)
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Comment #43spyro-Guthrie picking up the ball in the mid and bursting past ameobi into their half was very satisfying to watch. He basically just pushed shola out the way at one point. Thought he was very composed, battled for everything and passed the ball well also (even though he didnt have much to pass to, there wasnt very often many infront of him!)
Still think Butt is lagging behind though, and i have no problem saying it. I’m not slagging him, i’m just giving my opinion. He gives the ball away alot and against a team like chelsea its criminal, i remember him passing the ball backwards into no mans land at one point inside the final 10 minutes that kalou burst onto and the defence were under pressure.
Spyro
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Comment #44Waddle
Your point was lost in those ramblings
KK FOREVER (Ross)
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Comment #45totally off the subject, but im a huge fan of ji sung park.
Vitorbarbosa
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Comment #46I’m happy we get a point but the lads seems like defending for their family.
We didn’t hold possession at all. Though I can’t complaint much as our team pull off a magnificent point.
Although it’s a point, but we didn’t play football today.
Waddle's mullet
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Comment #47sorry SPYRO! (not spyrod)
Lets have a few cans and a sing song.
Ready?
Were gonna win the league!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Turkish Magpie
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Comment #48Just remember though if we’d won 4-0, Bassong and Colo would probably get no praise!
Cypriot toon- 1-0 against Bolton clean sheet
Belfast toon- We’re against portsmouth soon and the commentators said thats why he’s there! But he’s manager of spurs lol
Turkish Magpie
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Comment #49Heres Joes next games
Boro-3points (a)
Stoke- 3points (h)
Pmouth- 1 point (a)
Spurs- 3 points (h)
Wigan- 3points (a)
If he gets these points i’ll happily keep him over January as i like his transfer window plan!
Shot Bru!
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Comment #50Agreed KK forever Park is wasted at Man Utd and is an excellent player i wish we could be in a position to buy him. Also i can’t believe how negative some people seem to be about certain players like enrique butt guthrie owen. It was a fantastic result today and every player played his part, it might not have been pretty but it showed that our players have some fighting spirit, the last thing we needed today was to be on the end of a hiding. Well Done Kinnear for his sensible tactics, even though i’m not his greatest fan but credit where credits due.
Kevin
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Comment #51Well, Spyro, I disagree with you, then.
Newcastle have given too many players too much time showing nothing more than “potential.” Enrique is slow, he is a chaser, he does not contain or control space, he drifts, and is not dominant in the air. When he gets the ball, his touches are heavy, he cannot dribble without looking at the ball, when he passes, it’s typically long and open-ended. It rarely stays in our posession. Please feel free to disagree with any of these, but if you watch the match again it will be obvious to you.
steve
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Comment #52@Kevin – you’re talking rubbish – did you actually see the game, Enrique defended well although his distribution needs to improve – Collo was immense as was Bassong
Stop slagging the team you muppet
Ryan Peacock
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Comment #53for me enrique still give the ball away to much today, hope we sign skejbred and riise.
steve
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Comment #54How was Given MOM – he made one good save as the defense actually defended very well giving him nothing to do – Bassong MOM for me, followed by Collo and Beye
Turkish Magpie
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Comment #55confirmed
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_4535633,00.html
Kevin
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Comment #56HA! I’m a muppet. This is rich.
How often did they get clear easy crosses in from their right side? I’m certainly slagging Enrique and that’s it – because Colo, Bassong, Beye and the midfielders had MUCH more work to do this afternoon because of ENRIQUE! The rest of the defense were quite solid.
Honestly, you need to raise your expectations a bit, mate.
Kevin
Nov 22, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Comment #57Steve – you could be right. Bassong was immense today. But with so much activity around Given’s box, he was a leader back there, and came up with multiple great saves.
Geordie Deb
Nov 22, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Comment #58Great performance by the lads. None of us in our heart of hearts expected a draw let alone a clean sheet against Chelsea at the Bridge. I think they did us proud and I wish some of you would just give credit where credits due and stop criticising individual players when they have collectively turned in this kind of performance against a top team. Are some of you never happy?
Toon_Army
Nov 22, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Comment #59It is actually our third clean sheet of the season. Bolton at Home 1-0, Villa at Home, and away the the Chelski. Well Done to the Lads =D
Boater
Nov 22, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Comment #60Kevin listen to Spyro for crying out loud lad. Classic stuff from you Kevin…..
“Newcastle have given too many players too much time showing nothing more than “potential.” Are you a surrealist genius or a morbidly deluded individual may I ask?
We get lots wrong at the toon – but giving defenders TOO much time to settle aint one of them… Lordy are you alreet in the heed?
Interesting fact: NUFC is second in the amount of money invested in central defenders since the PL began… only Chelsea have spent more. I’ve grown wearily accustomed to the scapegoating of defenders who have a patchy run… well you’ll win and we’ll have another raft of defenders by next season… then you’ll start moaning, tick-tock, tick-tock… like HAMSTERS GANNIN AROUND A WHEEL….
ENRIQUE IS YOUNG!!!!!!! FFS!!!!!!!!!
WE JUST KEPT A CLEAN SHEET AGAINST THE MOST POTENT ATTACKING SIDE IN THE COUNTRY….. AWAY!!!!!!
Bemoan Enrique now??… well I blame Bramble – no Cacapa – no Goma – no Boumsong – no Marcellino – no wait Rozenhal – no Taylor – no ummm Distin – Dumas – O’brien – Moore – Carr -Oyeguwci (forget his name) SEE THE PATTERN PEOPLE??????
Hero today is Bassong – great young player… why do I have the feeling I’ll be back on here reading about how he’s rubbish in 6 months?? Hmmm I wonder.
Brutooooon
Nov 22, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Comment #61like i said, 95% chelsea win and 5% draw…lucky we got the 5%
Punk Skunk
Nov 22, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Comment #62Bang on boater!..
…The Lads did GREAT, as a team!..
…Toon Toon!..
Ausgeordie
Nov 23, 2008 at 3:25 AM
Comment #63I was almost laughing at the end of the game cause I thought they had to score and to be perfectly honest they would have deserved the win. The one time Owen got the ball near the box he had four players around him and it was a shame we could not produce more in their half of the ground but the defence has to be seriously commended. Taylor should have to earn his spot back as Bassong has taken his opportunity well and should be rewarded with a starting spot next week.
Villa Fan
Nov 23, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Comment #64Great point for you guys at the weekend. But what the f**k is that tosser Ashley doing to your club. Kinnear has been informed that he will be staying for another month. There are bound to be a few more premiership managers sacked and a club is sooner or later going to offer Kinnear a 2 or 3 year contract. Toon fans are good at getting your point across, I think you should get Joe a longer contract.