Newcastle made a disastrous start to the game against Arsenal this afternoon and were ripped apart with 3 goals in the first 9 minutes, and our defense looked absolutely abysmal, woeful and they defended like schoolboys.
But Diaby was sent off early in the second half, and that started one of the most amazing comebacks ever seen at St. James Park in the second half, when our lads came storming back with 4 goals and an incredible first goal from Tiote.
And but for a disallowed goal by Best for offside which clearly was onside as shown by the TV cameras, the lads could have even won this game 5-4.
The lads were 3 goals down in just 9 minutes and it reminded us a little of the Portsmouth game in November of 2007, when Portsmouth were three up in 11 minutes.
But today it was a lot worse, as the Newcastle defense had no answer to Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
Things went wrong immediately for Newcastle after just 40 seconds when Theo Walcott outpaced the Newcastle defense and Coloccini right through the middle and easily hit the ball past Harper.
And if that was a bad start after a couple of minutes Newcastle were two down as again our two central defenders hadn’t yet tuned up to play and cross from Arshavin again from the left was headed home unchallenged by Djourou . 2-0
Than on 9 minutes Walcott from the right wing sent in a simple cross and Robin van Persie – again completely unchallenged in the middle of the penalty box – headed home with ease.
So where were Coloccini and Williamson in those first 9 minutes – the answer is nowhere to be seen .
It was an abominable display from the Newcastle defense and especially from the central defenders and it was 3-0 after 9 minutes.
Where was the spirit and passion in the side in that first half?
But after the 3rd goal went in Newcastle did a lot better and held on for 16 minutes before conceding the 4th,ad and yes I;’m being cynical but this performance has to be the very worst one for many a long day at St. James’ Park.
On 25 minutes Sagna sent in another simple cross from the right and Robin van Persie again headed home completely unchallenged and it was 4-0. The Arsenal defenders would have found it a lot more difficult to score like they did today, and we though the Arsenal defense was weak.
More on that later. 😀
No more goals conceded by Newcastle before the half time whistle thankfully came – with the worst performance in a half at St. James’ Park probably for decades – and where was the pride and passion?
Arsenal could have scored even more goals in that first half but it was a case of them not pressing as much as they could have against a team they completely and utterly outclassed.
Then after just a few minutes of the second half Barton and Diaby clashed and Diaby seemed to push Barton to the ground and was deserving given a straight red card – he lost his temper and Joey didn’t – and so Arsenal were down to 10 men.
It looked like a 50-50 ball and it was stupid of the Arsenal player to do what he did, and there will be no appeal from Arsenal about the sending off – we’re sure of that.
Newcastle had more of the play now and then after 67 minutes Leon Best got a penalty when he held the ball up nicely and Koscielny brought him down in the box.
Joey Barton took the recognizably for the penalty and hit it nicely to the goalkeeper’s right as Szczesny moved to his left.
It was a good penalty by Barton and it was 4-1.
Nile Ranger then came on for Peter Lovenkrands after 73 minutes and made an immediate impact – talk about an impact sub – and for the rest of the game this lad was a thorn in the Arsenal side as they just could not contain him – this boy is fast!
And he’s an Arsenal supporter – get in!
Newcastle kept pressing and then on 73 minutes Best seemed to score a perfectly good goal, which was ruled offside and the TV replays showed Rosicky had played Best onside.
So it should have been the second goal for Newcastle, and as it happened, if this goal had been allowed, Newcastle would have had an incredible 5-4 win.
But one minute later Best did score with an excellent opportunist goal, and it was 4-2 with Newcastle seemingly in the ascendancy and Arsenal obviously now rattled.
Nile Ranger was starting to cause Arsenal all kinds of trouble, and the 19 year-old set up Best with a header from a corner, but the former Coventry man headed the ball over when it looked easier to score.
A little later Nolan put Nile Ranger almost through and the lightning fast Ranger was just beaten to the ball by the Arsenal goalkeeper. Ranger seemed to turn the game for Newcastle with his unbelievable energy and speed.
And then would you believe it on 82 minutes Williamson was fouled in the box and it was another Newcastle penalty again beautifully dispatched by Joey Barton. It was 4-3 and could the lads get one more goal.
Then on 86 minutes an absolutely incredible goal from Cheick Tiote equalized the scores and it will be the goal of the season at Newcastle – and what an unbelievable strike it was too.
Barton took a corner and the ball looped outside the box, and the Ivorian hit it with his left foot on the volley, and it went screaming low into the back of the net. What a terrific goal to level the scores at 4-4.
Tiote after scoring – a magnificent strike!
The Newcastle players and fans went absolutely crazy with the 4 goals in 20 minutes form the Magpies.
And if you don’t think Alan Pardew cares about Newcastle, he was punching the air in wild abandon, in what had been an incredible comeback by this supposedly well beaten side – remembr the lads were four goals down after 25 minutes – incredible.
And Nile Ranger set up Nolan beautifully with a knock down in the first minute of injury time, and Kevin hit the ball beautifully but just an inch wide of the goalkeeper’s left hand post.
There was only going to be one winner but unfortunately time ran out and the game ended at 4-4.
It is the first time in Premier League history that a side has let a 4 goal lead slip.
We don’t know what the odds of getting a point were at half time, but if you bet on Newcastle coming back to 4-4, you would probably be a millionaire right now.
Lots of good things to take from the second half – when Arsenal were reduced to 10 men – but the first half was the worst we’ve played in many a year – we were simply pathetic.
But it’s an unlikely point for the lads and we are now on 31 – juts 3 points short of what we got in our relegation season.
Only Newcastle could have done this today – only Newcastle – we’re so proud of the lads in that second half , and it will give the lads confidence after being absolutely ripped apart in that first half.
Arsene Wenger must be pulling his hair out at Diaby.
Make sure you vote for the Man of the Match on our home page.
The second half display could now reignite the season fr the Magpies, but Pardew and the palyers must get their act together in defense – they were abysmal in that first 45 minutes – and that’s being kind.
Comments welcome.
Teams:
Newcastle: Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique; Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez; Best, Lovenkrands
Subs: Krul, Perch, Campbell, Guthrie, Richardson, Ferguson, Ranger
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy, Diaby, Wilshere, Fabregas, Arshavin, Walcott, van Persie
Subs: Almunia, Eboue, Squillaci, Gibbs, Bendtner, Rosicky, Chamakh
137 comments so far
archaeomag
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Comment #1. . and they call him MR T.
IceIceGeordie
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Comment #2Do we still want Alan Pardew out or ?
Whitecap
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:13 PM
Comment #3What a legendary first goal from Tiote!! A real world-class belter!!
Sinner
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:13 PM
Comment #4Thought Ranger was fantastic tonight!
Ghali
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:15 PM
Comment #5never been as proud as today
Mc-Toon
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:15 PM
Comment #6Looks like £35 million can score you goals!!!
HaZ-NUFC
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:15 PM
Comment #7wow best game of all time?
IceIceGeordie
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:17 PM
Comment #8Best had a class game,Proud of the lads :D.
clarkytoon
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:17 PM
Comment #9immense. I love this club – through thick and thin – it will always be Newcastle UNITED FC. Best in the world. Love it, Love it.
aDeadlyTicTac
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:17 PM
Comment #10Ranger really put in his all tonight. (: He’ll take Carroll’s place no problem. He’s faster and more fun to watch, too.
lewman
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Comment #11we did well to come back against 190 men lol, anyone sent ed a video yet so we can see the goals
Sinner
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Comment #12I still say Best is no good!
Everyone can score from a sitter like that!
Beside he had taken his chances well,the score could have been different.
Whitecap
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Comment #13We didn’t get our first goal until the 68th minute. There were some very tired legs out there as the lads kept pushing but the fight was immense. Barton and Nolan had the lads working their socks off. Zero quit. Zero.
For me, the man of the match was Jonas. He was giving Arsenal all sorts of problems and his crossing was beautiful today. Danny Simpson as well as Tiote and Jonas were the only 3 players that gave their all for the whole 90 minutes.
Let’s hope this lifts the team for the rest of the season.
Zangwill_Ho
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Comment #14Super tonight very happy! Good game !drawn is nice very unbelievable
clarkytoon
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Comment #15tiote’s goal was better than Shearer’s against Everton. Not by much, maybe an inch or two to the left, but better. Great celebration as well – legend.
Vinicinhos
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Comment #16Great game, these players are Newcastle’s heroes, today.
lewman
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:21 PM
Comment #17danny simpson should have an england cap by the end of the year if he carries on like this as he played well against fulham and has been consistantly decent for a while now.
kevymartins
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:21 PM
Comment #18We scored a goal that was 100% as onside an the reff didnt give it…..but im so happy right now…im gona be buzzin all week …that is 1 to rember ….we teorrized them all second half…simo playd perfection….Did any1 see the look on arsen wangers face lol lol lol
Vinicinhos
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Comment #19Simpson surprised me, good game.Tiote was the only who played well at 1º half.
And Best made a great 2º half.
Zangwill_Ho
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Comment #20Love nufc!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Manx Magpie
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Comment #21For me man of the match today was Danny Simpson, i know how amazing Tiote was, but come on Simpson was absolutely immense today! He’s totally stepped up his game recently, his runs forwards were amazing and he made some crucial tackles at the right time.
kevymartins
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:23 PM
Comment #22sinner wise up or f u c k off
best playd amazing he was the best player on are team in the first half…..he holded everytin up the played it to bartoon for the cross
Sinner
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:23 PM
Comment #23Whitecap // Feb 5, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Couldnt agree more about Jonas.
Vinicinhos
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:23 PM
Comment #24@Sinner
Don’t decrease Best merit for the goal
Zangwill_Ho
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:23 PM
Comment #25Lose goal, but did not lose our heart in the half time . It is really a record great record! Proud of it
tjshawsey
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:24 PM
Comment #26Disappointed Bests goal was ruled out, then again glad van persie’s was!
geoff777
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:25 PM
Comment #27What a game … good job Pardew had a stash of “Get Out Of Jail Free” cards he could play.
Great spirit by Barton & Nolan that really fired the team. Then everyone started fighting for the ball and we were unstoppable.
Danny Simpson did well all game.
Sinner
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:25 PM
Comment #28kevymartins // Feb 5, 2011 at 5:23 PM
Mate,how many fcking ball did Lovenkrands,barton and Jonas gave him.
And how many balls did he convert into something!
oadharee
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:28 PM
Comment #29What a game….what it in Malaysia here…howay the lads
DENIro
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:28 PM
Comment #30AndyMac // Feb 5, 2011 at 3:20 PM
Pardew’s new tactical plan ?
Let Arsenal score 5 before half time and lull them into sitting back in the second half. Then we pulverise them and Best gets four 🙂
ALMOST TRUE… 🙂
Oleg G
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Comment #31Is there anyway to watch MOTD online???
AndyMac
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Comment #32Williamson and Best just not up to it but as for the rest they all put in a shift on my first day of exile 🙂 Maybe if I stay away all season we’ll end up as champions 🙂
Spuggy
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Comment #33Totally agree about Simpson…..if he can play like that every week, our RB situation is solved. Just need some depth in defence in case of injuries.
Tiote and Barton are the key men for us – we’re half a team without them. Tiote made a huge difference but we need Ireland fit for cover for injuries and suspensions.
Ranger defo has potential really impressed today….just needs to up his game and effort consistently but he has been tutored by strolla afterall lol.
Silver linings there are, just need some luck with injuries and suspensions!!
Then Spend Spend Spend in the summer! Hulk please.
Chrismc91
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:31 PM
Comment #34ranger was quality when he came on and hopefully we can keep this up
coolcatcarter89
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:32 PM
Comment #35My mind is blown!!
Thump
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Comment #36“magnificent” is an understatement.
Incredible game.
tiotal football
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Comment #37Don’t think the best criticism is fair.
he was a lot better than lovenkrands today and put in a good shift.
he started the comeback by winning the penalty and scoring the second!!!
ScotchToon
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Comment #38Amazing comeback. The missus was outside at the car and heard me scream when Tiote scored.
Spuggy
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Comment #39Nani scores – one point gained on Wolves too! 😉
Hugh Jorgan
Feb 5, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Comment #40Geoff777
Will you wind your neck in for Christ’s sake.
All you ever do is make negative comments.
I am sick of reading your drivel.