Newcastle are 1-0 down at the interval after Sunderland’s Cisse got the all important first goal, when he beat a poor offside trap by Newcastle, and although Steve Harper blocked his first shot, the rebound was put into the net by the French striker without much trouble.
Before the game kicked off it was interesting to see who was doing all the talking in the huddle before the game, with Kevin Nolan taking charge of the team talk – probably best to make this lad captain right now.
And a shot of manager Joe Kinnear seems to show Joe has piled on the weight, probably due to the stress he’s under right now.
The teams got off to a good start and the first period of the game was fairly level but then Sunderland missed a gilt-edged chance to go ahead.
On 20 minutes Gutierrez gave a free kick away needlessly on the right, and Kieran Richardson’s curling free kick beat everybody, including goalkeeper Steve Harper, and rebounded off the far post and Cisse had a chance form just 7 yards out into a gaping goal but somehow Kevin Nolan amazingly kicked the ball off the line.
A huge let-off for Newcastle, whose defense looked all at sea, and didn’t look too much better during the first 45 minutes, if truth be told.
And then just 2 minutes later Enrique put in a good first time cross from the left, and Andy Carroll got in a good looping header which rebounded off the top of the cross-bar.
A great effort from Andy, who also looked so menacing in the first 45 minutes.
The onb 29 minutes Cisse had good shot from the inside right position, that keeper Harper did well to turn round the post for a corner, but Sunderland were slowly starting to get on top.
The on 33 minutes Cisse beat a poor Newcastle offside trap as he found himself clean through on goal.
Steve Harper came out and was able to block the shot, but the ball bounced kindly for the Frenchman, who rolled the ball into the empty net to put the visitors on top.
Ameobi was trying his best with Andy Carroll up front, but Shola looked a good yeard off the pace, having not played this year.
Maybe Joe should give Xisco a run-out in the second half.
Carroll was easily Newcastle’s best player in the first half with 22 year-old Bassong shoring things up continually at the back.
Then on 42 minutes Carroll had a good left foot shot, which whistled just wide of Fulop’s left hand post.
Newcastle came more into the game more after Sunderland scored but the visitors were the better side in the first half.
If the disaster of all disasters is to be avoided then Newcastle will need to play a lot better in the final 45 minutes of this game.
TEAMS
Newcastle United: Steve Harper, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Sebastien Bassong, Steven Taylor, Nicky Butt (c), Kevin Nolan, Jonas Gutierrez, Damien Duff, Andy Carroll, Shola Ameobi
Subs: Xisco, Geremi, Peter Lovenkrands, David Edgar, Kazenga LuaLua, Tim Krul, Ryan Donaldson
Sunderland: Marton Fulop, Phil Bardsley, George McCartney, Dean Whitehead (c), Carlos Edwards, Steed Malbranque, Djibril Cisse, Kieran Richardson, Danny Collins, Kenwyne Jones, Anton Ferdinand
Subs: Daryl Murphy, Michael Chopra, Grant Leadbitter, Dwight Yorke, Andy Reid, David Healy, Nick Colgan
Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: tbc
338 comments so far
Danish_Magpie
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Comment #41Løvenkrands on for Ameobi, JK, come on!
BlacknWhite Barmy
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Comment #42When was the last time we scored ??? This is pathetic – and jokeinhere appears to be more interested getting in new defenders
BlacknWhite Barmy
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Comment #43ne1 on for showme and butt
Danish_Magpie
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #44Go on Jonas, my hero. Good work.
Veliz
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #45If we lose this game, it’ll be hard for other players to come to Newcastle…
Fans Should Own The Club
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #46Carroll scored in the last match, didn’t he?
Tom4Nufc
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #47Loverkands pace is needed now.
Obafan
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #48MAKE SUBS!!! Come on man open your eyes; AMEOBI OFF and never return; i’ve had enough of it!!!
Kevin
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Comment #49jokeinhere. classic.
The Original Todd
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Comment #50So many of the crosses hit the first man. All season…
Veliz
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Comment #51YES
Brazilian Geordie
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Comment #52LINK PLEASE
oga
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #53WHO’ GONNA TAKE IT?????????
Fans Should Own The Club
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #54poor call-not a penalty–but we’ll take it.
Kevin
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #55please convert this.
Tom4Nufc
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #56penalty!
brian
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #57LOVE YOU STEVEN TAYLOR
Danish_Magpie
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #58PENALTY NEWCASTLE!!
Veliz
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #59who can score a penalty?
obamagic
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #60WTF NO AMEOBI!
Veliz
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #61http://www.iraqgoals.com/en/ch4.html
Kevin
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Comment #62ameobi?????
Veliz
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #63AMeooooooooobi
Fans Should Own The Club
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #64SHOLA!?!?
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Tom1664
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #65SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Danish_Magpie
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #66SHOLA!!!
obamagic
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #67haha ok good thing he made it
toonoholic
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #68ok ameobi out now !
BlacknWhite Barmy
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #69Fans should – yep your right – but other than that we are p poor up front = how hte hell did showme get a new contract
oga
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #70Well done Shols.
Now get off the pitch.
Kevin
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #71whoa. about had a heart attack. GET IN!!!!!!
Veliz
Feb 1, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Comment #72:O Look at the fatty, he’s jumping
Danish_Magpie
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #73Good courage to step up there, Shola. Lucky pen as he easily could have hit it over, but go on now, get the win.
Johno Toon
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #74who called for ameobi to be taken off 🙂
Tom4Nufc
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #75well well well, Shola you are full of suprises.
oga
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #76Jonas and Duff to swap sides!
Fans Should Own The Club
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #77Jonas is scrapping hard. Good player.
toonoholic
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #78take him out now !
BlacknWhite Barmy
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #79PENALTY
brian
Feb 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Comment #80good job shola
now bring in somoene with pace