Newcastle made it 3 wins in 4 Championship games, to get on 10 points and go second top of the Championship, just a single goal inferior to Middlesbrough’s goal difference, who are in first place. It’s the great start we had all hoped for.
In what was thought to be a tough game for the Magpies, the lads put in an excellent display in the first half and looked to have the points locked up at half time, as they went two goals up.
And it was maiden goals from our January signings, Liverpudlians Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor.
And Newcastle got off to the best of starts as Nolan had the ball in the back of the Crystal Palace net, after just 2 minutes.
It was in fact after just 99 seconds that Jonas Gutierrez put in a beautiful ball behind the static Palace back-line that allowed Kevin Nolan to easily put the ball home through the legs of Palace keeper Flahaven for his first goal for the club – and a wonderful start for the Geordies.
And after 14mins Newcastle should have doubled their score after Jose Enrique skillfully evaded Danns on the left flank, but was brought down by the Palace midfielder.
Ryan Taylor put in a great free kick into a crowded six-yard area and the ball was saved by the sharp reactions of Flahavan, right on the goal-line, to keep the score at 1-0.
Newcastle were causing Palace all kinds of problems and then on 21 minutes they went 2-0 up.
And it was Liverpudlian Ryan Taylor who collected a Gutierrez cross from the left just 20 yards out, and hit a beautiful dipping left-foot strike to perfection with the ball just beating the outstretched fingertips of Flahavan.
Newcastle went in at half-time 2-0 up having put in a great half time performance, and although Palace upped their game in the last 20 minutes of the game, the Newcastle defense were too experienced and were able to keep their 3rd clean sheet in a row.
The two goals by our Liverpudlians being good enough for our first 3 away points of the season. One of many we hope.
And it was good to see Danny Guthrie put in an excellent display for the Magpies in his first start of the season, and Nicky Butt got a run-out as we expected after 65 minutes, when he came on for Ryan Taylor.
The only surprise today – Shola didn’t score. 😀
Howay The Lads!!
152 comments so far
sirjasontoon
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Comment #1Very pleased with the result today….well done Lads!
bfax
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Comment #2Maybe people will stop talking about how useless Jonas is after he assisted both goals today.
Geordie-Gerrard7
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Comment #3im more than delighted for chris hughton, i hope he stays a coach at our great club for a long time to come,the players seem to love him
they recon he genuinley looked upset in his face, knowing it was his last game, just more speculation but i really do hope he stays, along with taylor and also i hope smith stays skipper
sirjasontoon
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Comment #4Think Chris is finding his feet managing the 1st team…so fair play to him…I would prefer him as manager to JK any day.
Toon_Factor
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Comment #5bfax
Hopefully they will. What do you think, sirjasontoon?
Nick D
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Comment #6If it aint broke, don’t fix it. What I like about Hughton is he a low profile kind of guy. He doesn’t seem to have an ego and doesn’t see himself as bigger than the players or the club.
I would be quite happy if Moat became an investor and just let Hughton get on with it.
I’m not at all sure Shearer coming back is the right man in any sense.
When asked why he took the newcastle job, Shearer said because he didn’t want someone else to save them from relegation. I think that speaks volumes and he he failed in any case.
JUST LET HUGHTON GET ON WITH IT !!!!!!!
Toon_Factor
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Comment #7Nick D
“When asked why he took the newcastle job, Shearer said because he didn’t want someone else to save them from relegation”
When did he say that? No need to make stuff up.
DJG
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Comment #8Ha Niel Warnock, go home and cry.
Ed Harrison
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Comment #9Chris Hughton seems to be able to have the lads concentrate and not take things for granted against weaker opposition – he’s done terrifically well and the players seem to play for him these days. Nothing much needs fixing with the way the lads are playing on the pitch, but we need to sign some players.
Geordie-Gerrard7
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Comment #10nick- have to say i never heard shearer say that
Tino 11
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Comment #11Hello Ed, did you manage to listen to the game?
Geordie-Gerrard7
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Comment #12have to say its real bad about davenport and his mo, best wishes to both.
i would love it to be shearer, hughton, speed, lee, dowie
Dragonera
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Comment #13I think most would have been content with a point and keeping our unbeaten run going. What a good surprise to run out comfortable winners. I hear Ameobi missed a sitter, but i suppose he has earned the right to do that from time to time. On another note, the commentators had nothing but positive reviews for Smith, who has been our unsung hero for the last 4 games whilst Ameobi has taken the plaudits. I think Smith has earned himself the armband on a permanent basis, what an engine!
Also, i am delighted to see Enrique finally getting the appreciation he deserves. This guy has amazing potential and should really be playing for a premiership side…Hopefully us next season 🙂
Big Dave
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Comment #14Lads i think calderwood has made a big impression on the players aswell.
OHurley
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Comment #15I’m starting to feel like Hughton should be left in charge. He’s obviously got something going on. Some real chemistry with the players. He reminds me of Tony Dungy. For those of you who don’t know who this is, he’s the manager of an American football team called the Indianapolis Colts. He’s one of the best around and he’s VERY low profile. no ego or anything, he just gets the job done. To say that Hughton reminds me of him is one of the biggest compliments I can pay to the man. He seems like he’s finding out what managing a football club is all about. howay wor chris 🙂
beyethegreat
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Comment #16http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/table/default.stm
Spotkicker
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Comment #17Come what may on monday, let’s all just get on with it and make the best out of it!
(looks like Jonas has an end product after all?? Maybe not a coincidence he had a great number of assists in Spain before he came here…)
toonsy
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Comment #18Anybody know if Smith got booked?
Big Dave
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Comment #19Dragonera i like smith but sometimes he can be a bit rash but that is smith lives on the edge, as for Enrique i have allways liked him and he is getting better with each game, and links with Jonas brilliantly
Toon_Factor
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #20You’ve suddenly gone quite Nick D, in future don’t make crap up!
Rangerman
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #21None of our lot were booked.
geordie deb
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Comment #22I feel we should leave well alone at the moment. We’re witnessing a good team spirit, the guys playing for each other, giving 100%, confidence growing and they have respect for Hughton and Calderwood. Why upset the apple cart when we don’t know if Shearer could have them performing any better or whether his ego would actually tip the balance the other way?
I think if we’re honest nobody expected these run of results and it’s great to see. Some additions to the squad may be all that’s needed at present. There’s been so much turmoil, why not just let things settle down for a while?
Steve_48
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Comment #23Pleased to see Smudger is playing well, always though he had something extra to give and yes his engine is what we need; one word of caution is that the red mist comes to Smithy on occasion and Management need to temper this to make his a better player
Rangerman
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Comment #24Only 1 goal conceded all season too.
catchy in norway
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Comment #25Dragonera
agreed with all you said…. just hope they can keep it up..
i think though this is smiths level, or botom of the prem teams,,,,, same for shola..
catchy in norway
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Comment #26not bad viewing
http://www.sportpress.com/spo.go?subpage=5&page=statistics&nhr=2&lang=1&hl=1753
Dennis Twice
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Comment #27too early….to speak…game by game…we need more players!..soon
Kevin
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Comment #28Brilliant start, fantastic match today in tough circumstances. The boys should be happy now.
Since we know we will lose players, we cannot become complacent. But with this start, we MUST take this season on like a Man Utd or Chelsea take on EVERY season in the Prem – we must have the confidence of Champions and look at every match for 3 points – anything less should be a disappointment. Only with that attidude will we get out of this difficult division on the first try!
Tino 11
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:56 PM
Comment #29Ah Geordie Deb, you have joined us on the dark side!
Big Dave
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Comment #30what is it about another 43 games
sahota
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Comment #31I am happy Jonas is also improving. Both goals were assists from him. I really hope he can contribute more and prove his worth. Next thing I wish is that this transfer windows closes. I am happ with the way we are now. But we want lads to go on for more 4-5 games like this. Lets win 9 out of first 10 games with one draw. Won’t that be brilliant.
carlmc
Aug 22, 2009 at 5:59 PM
Comment #32good result today, keep it going lads, lets see what monday brings
Geordie-Gerrard7
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Comment #33so happy,my mate just said simpson was class today, along with smith and wor jose
geordie deb
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Comment #34Tino 11
‘Ah Geordie Deb, you have joined us on the dark side!’
LOL – Tino I visit a few times per day and enjoy the banter but don’t comment very often
Big Dave
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:03 PM
Comment #35Tino and Deb on the dark side lol, imsure you’s allready now that although i dont agree with it but Ch is only 2 loss’s away from the fans anger. While big Al is still about no one else will get the time and full support of the toon faithfull. I think stability is the main thing that has went wrong with our club
beyethegreat
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Comment #36hughton for manager of the month ????????
Zangwill_Ho
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:04 PM
Comment #37where can i download the highlight?i want to keep it!!!!! please
gozzie4
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Comment #38Haha, typical we win a few games and people are saying not to appoint Shearer. Soooo typical.
So what…. if we get promoted all you ppl who think hughton should be kept manager…. u think he’ll do it in the prem league or would u even want him in the prem league?! Answer=No. So you’ll all ask for his resignation after a few losses and we’ll be back to square one again.
Hughton is not a manager. Granted he has done well…. but he is an assistant/coach!
We need to get this right…. hence if we get promo (which is a big IF) that manager will be given time and support by the fans. Only person who has that respect is shearer. He still has things to learn, yes, but surely get him to learn these things against weaker opposition in the fizzy pop league?!
Nick D
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:11 PM
Comment #39Toon factor
It was on an recorded interview he did which was either shown on BBC’s football focus or sky sports or maybe both before he took the job. Try and keep up before you judge everyone by your own ill informed standards. As usual your school boy level of ignorance has sadly let you down.
Oba
Aug 22, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Comment #40Just cos Hughton’s won us a couple games doesn’t mean he should be manager.
Curbishley’s the way forward, he knows how to build a team and make them strong.