This is a game Newcastle started with two of their defense missing – went one goal down at the half, survived a missed Doncaster penalty after 75 minutes and Kevin Nolan scored the winner two minutes into injury time – another blase 3 points from Newcastle this wasn’t.
However, it could be the most important 3 points of our season so far.
And to add further to our problems in defense, center-back Khizanishvili was given a red card with 5 minutes to go, but exactly why is a good question for the referee.
Zurab seemed to be trying to separate the players, but was flashed a red card , which Newcastle will surely appeal.
The game started with the shock that bioth Colccini and Simpson would miss the game tyhrough injury and young Tamas Kadar was drafted in at center0back and Ryan Taylor moved to right back.
Newcastle started the game rather sloppily and were giving the ball away tooe asuily and would you beleive it after 18 minutes Doncaster took the lead.
Kadar could only half clear from the left full-back position and the ball went to Billy Sharp, and the winger moved nicely before pulling the ball back to Dean Shiels, who slotted the ball easily into an empty net.
A defeat today would have been a crucifying blow for Newcastle, but we were still one nil down at the half, but not before Jose Enrique had put in a good cross that Andy Carroll’s header from 12 yards out, flashed just inches wide.
After 60 minutes Nile Ranger came on for the hapless Marlon Harewood, and Nile immediately started to make a difference and was a live wire up front.
After some pressure from Newcastle it was Andy Carroll who got the all important equalizer on 68 minutes, with a thumping first-time volley from Danny Guthrie’s inch-perfect chip, and that was certainly tremendous finish from the big Gateshead lad!
But then on 75 minutes referee Deadman (what a name!) gave a penalty to Doncaster, when Dean Shiels’ header crashed into the arm of Ryan Taylor.
Doncaster captain Martin Woods stepped up but hit his left-footed shot wide of Steve Harper’s goal and Newcastle were given a massive let-off – and maybe – just maybe – this was going to be our day after all.
The 90 minutes came and the referee added 5 minutes additional time, but it was that wonder-man Kevin Nolan again, who after just 2 minutes of injury time hit a a perfect curler into the net from 20 yards out for his 8th goal of the season.
But it was Andy Carroll who made the goal because he hassled the Rovers defense incessantly until he got possession, and then rolled the ball into the path of the Liverpudlian – who did the rest – and there was complete uproar from the Newcastle fans.
WBA could only draw so Newcastle are one point ahead of Cardiff City at the top of the league. Cardiff won a 4-3 thriller at Sheffield United, with a hat-trick from Peter Whittingham.
Middlesbrough drew 2-2 at Preston with Bille Jones equlaizing for the home side in injury time, so both teams dropped 2 points also.
Bramall Lane and Sheffield United is our next port of call a week on Monday.
We dodged a bullet in this game today – no doubt about it – but a win is a win – and we needed these 3 points really badly.
We will have to hope that both Coloccini and Steven Taylor are fit by the game at Sheffiled United, then so we can back playing some good football again.
Comments welcome.
25 comments so far
samd
Oct 24, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Comment #1Just got home from game and tugay ex blackburn player was sat a few rows in front watching the game might be about 2 sign?
sirjasontoon
Oct 24, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Comment #2Thank FK.
sirjasontoon
Oct 24, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Comment #3Tugay for Doncaster? yup Good signing for them.
Joseph
Oct 24, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Comment #4tugay is retired and 39. Either just there to watch the game or is hughton might have him in as a coach
Turkish Magpie
Oct 24, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Comment #5What did people think of Nicky Butt today? Heres my ratings out of 10
Harper- 7 didn’t really have alot of saves to make but commanded the defence well.
RTaylor-7 Played decently, took a long time to get some crosses in, good battling
Khizaniajfhjgfisaghasuhilli- 5 Looked hopeless all game long, Didn’t deserve the red but not a good game
Kadar- 6 showed he needed experience but a fairly good performance, could of cleared for the goal.
Enrique- 8 Best defender by a mile made some great runs down the wing and showed he had a good shot, commanded the left wing.
Guthrie- 7Keeps improving after that run of bad games but wasn’t to good, good battling.
Butt-7 i was suprised by him, didn’t deserve the captains band, showed no leadership but gave a great battling display.
Nolan- 9 Best player on the pitch, 1 player who didn’t drop his head when things went wrong. Great leadership and batlling and what a goal!
Jonas- 6 made some good runs but lacked end product once again, never really got into the game and he’ll kick himself for his miss.
Harewood- 5 just as bad as kiz, made no contribution to the game and got booed off.
Carroll- 7 Battled well and was miles better than Harewood, scored a brilliant goal but should of taken all his chances, including the sitter!
Ranger-8 Made an immediant impact, dont know why he didn’t start but he battled the whole time. Looked like a great forward, came back to defend, set up chances and never lost the ball.
Tozer-7 didn’t see enough of him, was on for 7 minutes but did what he was asked to do.
stuart no9
Oct 24, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Comment #6no doubt about it , we struggled against a c..p side we should be steam rolling over these sides in the end we were lucky. 1.1 0.0 0.1 1.2 2.1 last five games against crap sides, not good is it?
chestnut
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:01 PM
Comment #7“We will have to hope that both Coloccini and Steven Taylor are fit by the game at Sheffiled United”
… and, i might add, Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith.
with them 4, a win in every game is 95% certain.
sirjasontoon
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:10 PM
Comment #8Chestnut
with them 4, a win in every game is 95% certain.
Bollox.
chestnut
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Comment #990% certain then.
Dennis Twice
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Comment #10Europe here we come!!!!!!!!!!1
Mikey25
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Comment #11I do miss Strolla…been a big loss………now that’s depressing!! It SHOULD be a 90% win with those but it ain’t gonna be!
I’m just hoping Hughton and the players proves us all wrong and takes us on a 30game unbeaten run now! Were going to beat Man Utd in the final of FA Cup 3-1 and stuff Sunderland 8-0 on the way! Dam thos Carlsburg ads putting ideas in my head!
sirjasontoon
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Comment #12🙂
magpie6699
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Comment #13Mikey – love the optimism. Just like me – except I’ve worked out that about another 20 or so points and we’ll be safe from relegation!
On another tack, was I the only one at the game today who thought that their number 5 (Sharp?) was a thug. Twice in the first half, right in front of me, I saw him kicking his way through Kadar from behind – with the ball nowhere to be seen nearby! On one occasion he floored him – and neither the ref nor the linesman did anything. Then in the sending-off incident, he had another go at Kadar and then definitely raised his hands when Butt and Khssi – Khissi stepped in to protect the lad – and yet all he got all game was a yellow. By my count he deserved 3 yellows and a straight red – what a bar-steward! The ref and linesmen were USELESS!
BlacknWhite Barmy
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Comment #1443000 fans there all supporting Ashley – what a great sight.
Another fantastic display against another high flying team.
top of the league now – but wait till after Ashley has sold a few more in January to ‘balance’ the books
Big Dave
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Comment #15I suppose the downside to all this is that CH will be our Manager after this poor display
budmon
Oct 24, 2009 at 6:50 PM
Comment #16its notabout hw u get the results in this league its about the final result and a great W and just what we needed after a dissapointing past few matches. Nolan should get the captaincy for sure man
BlacknWhite Barmy
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Comment #17Sky are reporting that negotiations with the American bid. That leaves just Moat – if you can believe that he can raise the cash.
Looks like we are stuck with Ashley – another 1M plus gate which the money will no doubt be ploughed back into the club – just like all hte season ticket money, transfers, sponsorship etc etc
komfort
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Comment #18just got home from the game and would just like to say…..WHAT A PILE OF F/ING TURKISH DELIGHT….
Mongo
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Comment #19What a pile of gash…
Just got back from the match now.
The referee and Linesmen need to check their eyes, they were useless today. Pretty much the same as that clueless Newcastle United team that was out on the field at SJP.
Here are my ratings from todays game.
Harper – 7 – Played alright, had no chance with their goal after it came of the back of one of their players.
R. Taylor -7 – Had quite a good game at right back, put in some decent crosses and linked well with Guthrie.
Khizanishvilli – 6 – Was having a good game, marauding forward at every opportunity because our forwards were nowhere to be seen. Unlucky to be red carded.
Kadar – 6 – Steady game at centre half, just needs a bit more confidence.
Enrique – 7 – Played well but his link up play with Jonas suffered for some reason, needs to learn to pass the ball and stop trying to turn players everytime.
Guthrie – 7 – Had a good game, hassled their midfield at every opportunity. Tremendous energy.
Butt – 4 – Legs have gone, late into tackles, no energy, misplaced passes. We missed Smudger today, massively. Waste of time playing this muppet
Nolan – 8 – Looks a cert for top scorer from Midfield, looked like Hughton told him to stay further forward in the 2nd half and it worked.
Jonas – 4 – Should have been taken out onto Barrack road at half time and executed. He is a headless chicken, can’t shoot, can’t cross and falls over too much. Clearly has something else on his mind, more of a ballerina than a pro footballer.
Harewood – 4 – Should have started with Ranger. Nuff said.
Carroll – 7 – Someone please tell me how he missed that sitter? Forraged away all game causing them problems. Well taken goal. Just need his to do it consistently now.
Ranger -7 – High score for having a cracking 30 minutes. Chased the ball down, held it up well. Did everything that Harewood didn’t. Has to be starting against Sheff United on Monday.
Tozer -5 – Less than 10 mins to make an impression so can’t give him anything more, or less than a 5.
komfort
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Comment #20reet a quick shit , shower & shave and oot for a gallon of ale , ruby & a slapper or 2.
komfort
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Comment #21mongo….harewood deserves no more than a 1 , and thats just for turning up…he’s piss poor !!!
Mikey25
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Comment #22Its a massive shame cos if MA stays and decided he was going to make a fresh start with a new chairman, couple more loan signings and restarting buying some kids we’d walk the league and he would be in a great position to make a lot of pennies! But he’ll continue to skimp and save and we’ll just scrape through and we won’t be in a good state to sell then this summer will happen all over again!
Ben_BKK
Oct 24, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Comment #23Anyone got links for highlights of the match?
I wanted to go to the match today, and going by what I’ve read I wish I had, if only to experience first-hand what has to be our first injury-time winner in at least 5 years 😛
p doff
Oct 24, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Comment #24Blackn White Barmy
Nail on the head, and we have that to look forward to that all season
Zangwill_Ho
Oct 25, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Comment #25Newcastle United Vs Doncaster highlight 2-1 http://www.veoh.com/browse/morelike/v19253211casBSPYw#watch%3Dv192683763qSC6HDc