This was a game that Newcastle fans have dreamed about, since we were relegated, as Newcastle United tonight gave a commanding display of flowing attacking football, with plenty of fight and spirit, and were much too good for a dispirited Ipswich Town side this afternoon.
And it was that man Kevin Nolan, who scored 3 goals – what a performance!
Newcastle started the game quickly with flowing passes and again they looked impressive and a well coached side, playing attractive and cultured football.
And the visitors were almost ahead on 4 minutes when 18 year-old Nile Ranger had a half chance inside the area, as he beat one man and then hit the ball low to Wright’s left, but the goalkeeper went full stretch to palm the ball clear. Nile looked so cool with that effort – it was ridiculous. 😀
Having two up front was making a big difference while Newcastle were dominating the play, there were few clear cut chances and all was level just before half-hour mark.
But then an amazing three classy goals in the next five minutes by the Magpies changed the game on its head.
On 30 minutes Ryan Taylor on the right sent in an inch perfect cross and it was Kevin Nolan, 10 yards out at the near post who powered a terrific header into Wright’s top right hand corner – a wonderful goal.
This Liverpool lad is turning up and putting the goals in when it counts and no wonder Chris is playing him just behind the strikers.
But just 2 minutes later it was Nolan again on the inside left channel, coming through to beat Alex Bruce on a dime and in one flowing movement he had the ball in the net under Richard Wright – before Ipswich knew what was happening – a Michael Owen goal type goal when Michael was at his very best.
And then just 2 minutes later Newcastle had a free kick about about 25 yards out, and Ryan Taylor had the audacity to put a fantastic curling shot way beyond the reach of the Ipswich goalkeeper, and into his top left hand corner – what a goal!
So a touch of class from Newcastle, and Ipswich seemed dead and buried.
It’s clear in these games that pure class, displayed by Ryan and Kevin for their goals, makes all the difference at this level.
And just before half time Nile Ranger almost got his first goal for the club, as his powerful downward header from a right wing chip looked like it was going in – but no Richard Wright seemed to keep all his good saves for the Londoner and went full stretch to make other excellent stop.
Nile could have scored two goals in the first half, and he looks class, and with Andy Carroll the two of them look like a whole lot of for opposing defenses.
On 51 minutes new boy Khizanishvili made a great run down the right wing and the ball was crossed over and it was Nile Ranger who met it heading it down and as the ball bounced up it was that man again – as Kevin Nolan, completely unmarked, headed the ball into the net and the Ipswich defense was all at sea – and that’s being kind.
On 61 minutes new boy Marlon Harewood came on for Nile ranger, who had put in another star performance for the Newcastle side.
Fabricio Coloccini had to leave the game on about 70 minutes, so we have to hope he’s not injured too badly. Ryan Taylor also came off with what looked like a calf injury.
Near the end of the game there were some bad tackles by the Ipswich players, who were given a football lesson tonight, and were obviously frustrated by the end of the game.
All in all – a game to savor fro Geordie fans – now for QPR on Wednesday night at home – we expect a huge crowd for that game – and we must take all 3 points!
Oh, and Newcastle are now back on top of the league, now 2 points clear of WBA.
WBA were beaten at home by Crystal Palace 1-0, and Middlesbrough could only draw away with Coventry 2-2, after leading 2-0, when Leon Best equalized in the 4th minute of added time.
Things went Newcastle’s way today and the lads did us proud – and needless to say the Newcastle fans at the game, were in excellent voice.
Make sure you vote for Newcastle’s best player in our poll on the homepage.
Comments very welcome.
85 comments so far
Toon_Factor
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Comment #41thud and blunder
Actually 23 actually! 24 in Jan too
Mag_Laad
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Comment #42Dragonera
The reason we keep putting him in wing positions is because we HAVENT GOT ANOTHER LEFT WINGER UNTIL JONAS COMES BACK!!!!!!! IN CAPITALLLLLSSSSS!!!! HELLLOOOO
Toon_Factor
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Comment #43Take out the first actually
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Comment #44Andy NUFC
I know what part of todays game your on about…
But HOWAY, he was immense again. How many other stray passes did he make? none
hes only 21, I reckon hes a better all round defender than bernard at his best
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Comment #45well 23/24 still young enough to learn the defensive part, he IS quality
Toon_Factor
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Comment #46Ill say it again thud and blunder HE’S 23!!! not 21
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Comment #47Toon Factor
O F-ing K hes 23…sooo what!! jesus
Dragonera
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Comment #48Mag Laad
Geremi will be a much better option on the left. Lovenkrands has been COMPLETELY INEFFCTUAL IN THAT POSITION.
will die for the toon army
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Comment #49Two more games ( 1 week ) to International break. We have 2 weeks to rest.
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Comment #50TOON FACTOR
hes still a quality left back, and a better all round player than bernard
Dragonera
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Comment #51thud
You are spot on. Enrique is too good for this division. He is a premiership player and has proved that over the last 18months or so. His mistakes are becoming less frequent and his passing has improved.
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Comment #52i hate it when folk make a habit of picking up on soo small typing error/mistakes instead of chatting about the actual player etc…petty
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Comment #53cheers drog mate…
he is quality, just like Colo was seen as when he left Deportivo. Colo will go on to become a top player.
\he was regarded as being one of the best CB in the spanish league
Raffo
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Comment #54I have to say that although it was a great win, I dont think the two big lads up top is as effective as a little and large thing. I thought Ranger was a much bigger threat that Carrol and I would like to see Ranger play with a smaller quicker option, who I am not sure, maybe McLoven, maybe marlon for his pace. I just thought Carrol was a touch laboured
Shot Bru
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Comment #55I think like a lot of players who play against poorer players than themselves tend to become a little to casual. This is probably the case with Enrique and Coloccini, especially with regard to Enrique’s 2 shockin’ backpasses, i mean his first one was almost a defence splitting pass. However saying that Enrique is a class left back, with plenty pace and power going forward and defensively.
dave 1961
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Comment #56keep your gobs shut & smug smile on ya faces, don’t give anyone a reason to have a go. at least till we take are rite full place.
Toon_Factor
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Comment #57Never said he want quiality, hes one of my fav players and I love how you try to cover it up by saying it was a typing error/ mistake
Mag_Laad
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Comment #58Dragonera
SORRY BUT GEREMI IS RIGHT FOOTED AND WILL BE MOVING ON TO HIS OTHER FOOT AND THEREFORE BE SLOWER THAN HE ALREADY IS!!! LOVENKRANDS HE’S LEFT FOOTED ISN’T HE? OH HE HAS PACE DOESN’T HE? HE NEVER HAD A PRE-SEASON DID HE? I THINK THE BETTER OPTION IS STILL LOVENKRANDS!!! btw go to a game will ya 🙂
will die for the toon army
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Comment #59Do you know what keeps a smile on my face is that. This is the last season for BUTT and GEREMI at NUFC.
Alan Smith Captain for next season in EPL.
will die for the toon army
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Comment #60Lovenkrands can pass well.
Dragonera
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Comment #61Mag Laad
You clueless little child. I can tell by the manner of your posts you’re an immature child with little concept of football.
Your logic is the following;
Lovenkrands is fast and left footed so he must be able to play on the left wing…
…You complete idiot, haha.
Geremi has covered there for both us and Chelsea, with the former being just this season. He provided excellent cover for Enrique and bagged an assist.
…So, the moral of the story is, grow up and stop shouting off at the mouth you halfwit.
will die for the toon army
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Comment #62Table is tight. Sorry to ask but what happened to Reading FC.
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Comment #63ANYWAYS…LETS ALL CELEBRATE A TOP PERFORMANCE!!!
4-0 AWAY……COME ON THE TOOOOOON
Shot Bru
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Comment #64reading drew 1-1 with watford
will die for the toon army
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:48 PM
Comment #65TOP OF THE TABLE. Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE THE TOON.
toon4life97
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Comment #66Great Result lads gutted about taylor but hopefully he’s not sericous
will die for the toon army
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Comment #67Shot Bru, as in waht has made the Club so bad.
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:50 PM
Comment #68Dragonera
When had Geremi covered Enrique at left back?? think your living in cloud cookoo land!!!
Fostino
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:51 PM
Comment #69enrique is a quality left back, he looks top class in this division, he’s certainly not brain dead!!
Where did the good times go
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Comment #70SBR….RIP
Harper – 7
Did what he had to when needed
Kizh – 7
Did well for debut, could become a fixture
Enrique – 7
would have scored more, but a few poor passes.
Taylor – 7
Solid as he has all season
Colo – 7
great partnership, hope hes not injured
Taylor – 7
Great goal, was almost looking for Given in goal
Smith – 8
110% work rate….my fav player this season
Butt – 7
Worked well with Smudge, still quality (at times)
Nolan – 10
Hat-trick, worked hard 110% effort . QUALITY
Ranger – 8
Love this lad, hope he scores soon.
Carroll – 8
The most i’ve been impressed with him. What a handful.
The effort and commitment was the most pleaseing for me, apart from the score.
The Carroll and Ranger partnership is a dream for Nolan. Hope the two get in on the scoring as well.
Smudge makes such a difference and Butt as his partner was great too.
Solid defensive performance, even Enrique giving me the kittens every now and then didnt spoil.
Bring on an improving QPR!
Shot Bru
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Comment #71Don’t get you will die for the toon army.
thud and blunder
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:54 PM
Comment #72my best team
———————Harper—————-
Simpson—–S.taylor—Colo—–Enrique
———————Smith—————-
R.Taylor———Nolan—————-Gutierrez
————–Carroll———–Harewood
Krul, Zurab, Barton, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Ameobi, Ranger
Mag_Laad
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Comment #73Dragonera
I think you just proved in your post that you never been to a match have you? Have a cruel father? Thought so.
Sorry but Lovenkrands played guess where for Rangers, Schalke erm where was it…left wing and upfront, what was the 1st one left wing yeah oh thought so.
Shot Bru
Sep 26, 2009 at 8:58 PM
Comment #74Excellent analysis where did the good times go.
will die for the toon army
Sep 26, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Comment #75I wld love to play a diamond formation its so effective but with Jonas here its hard to play because he is our best player. But I wld love this;
………………………Harper
Zurab…………..S.Taylor…………Colo………….Enrique
……………………………..Smith
…………Guthrie……………………………Jonas
……………………………..Nolan
……………….Harewood………….Carroll
Subs:
Krul, R.Taylor,Butt, Geremi, Barton, Lovenkrands, Ameobi
THis my team when everyone is Fit.
Where did the good times go
Sep 26, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Comment #76With a fully fit squad (i know silly comment) we look very strong:
Harper
Simpson Taylor Colo Enrique
Barton Smith Jonas
Nolan
Harewood / Shola Carroll
Subs:
Krul, Kiz, Taylor, Guthrie, Butt, Ranger, Loven
That bench is not too bad, were even missing Geremi, Lua Lua, Vuckic
and possibley another player coming in (Hope its Bale)
Where did the good times go
Sep 26, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Comment #77If Jonas could finish, i think hes taylor made for top of the diamond. He so creative!
gonufc
Sep 26, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Comment #78Very impressed with Carroll and Ranger up front despite not scoring. Great team performance all round, however i still get confused and angered by two things: Smith’s ridiculous attempts to slide tackle (often from behind, one in particular was ludicrous) on the outside of the box and Butt’s idea that he is some kind of Xabi Alonso long passing figure, he tries to switch it all the time and very rarely pulls it off! As brilliant as today was i did keep thinking that if we do get promoted then these things need to stop.
Dragonera
Sep 26, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Comment #79Mag Laad
Everyone who watched Rangers when Lovenkrands was there knows that he was only ever a threat when he played up front. Rangers fans will tell you that themselves. Just goes to show that you clearly spend more time on Wikipedia then actually WATCHING football.
To be honest i don’t even know why i am bothering replying to you. ALL of your posts illustrate how little you know about football, and it’s not like you have the intellectual capacity to provide a witty, well thought out argument is it…It’s all a bit pointless really so this will be my last response to you. Grow up.
thud and blunder
Geremi played left midfield and protected Enrique well for the majority of the game. This was just a few weeks ago. He got an assist in the very same match.
Raffo
Sep 26, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Comment #80i want to see lovenkrands play up top with ranger on weds