With Chelsea surprisingly getting through to the final of the Champions League tonight by winning their two legged tie against Barcelona, that may make it even harder for Newcastle to get into the Champions League next season.
Roberto di Mateo – has done great job at Chelsea
Chelsea drew the game 2-2 in Barcelona tonight, and won on aggregate 3-2, even after going down the ten men in the first half when Chelsea captain John Terry was caught kneeing Alexis Sanchez in the back, and he received a straight red card.
It was a stupid action by the Chelsea captain, and it could and probably should have cost Chelsea the game – you cannot go and knee somebody in the back and expect to remain on the field these days.
That compounded Chelsea’s defensive problems since Gary Cahill went off after just 14 minutes, with what looked to be a hamstring problem.
Just before half time, Barcelona scored twice but then remarkably Chelsea pulled one back just before the half time whistle, through a terrific goal from Brazilian Ramires.
The score at the half was 2-1 which meant Chelsea were still ahead on away goals, and they amazingly held out in the second half to secure their place in the final, and that was after Lionel Messi missed a penalty.
And as fate would have it, Fernando Torres scored a good breakaway goal in stoppage time, to make the final score tonight 2-2 and Chelsea won overall 3-2.
Barcelona showed a lot of cracks in their team over the two games with Chelsea, and missed a lot of chances and couldn’t break down the Chelsea rearguard, which was well organized.
Chelsea getting to the final could well complicate matters for Newcastle, because if Chelsea beats Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in Munich on May 19th, and they finish outside of the top four in the Premier League – they will be given a place in the Champions League to defend their title.
They will take the place of the 4th placed team in the Champions League, who will get an additional place in the Europa League. Newcastle are currently in 4th place, 3 points ahead of Tottemham and 4 points ahead of Chelsea.
The European Champions League Final is six days after the Premier League ends, and therefore if Newcastle are 4th top and Chelsea wins the Champions League - Newcastle will be in the Europa League.
And that as far as we know, would be the very first time that has happened in Premier League history.
One way Newcastle can guarantee their place in the Champions League next season is to finish 3rd top, by overtaking Arsenal, and we are 3 points behind the Gunners with a game in hand right now, but a much worse goal difference.
We don’t think what happened tonight in Barcelona will change the plans of Alan Pardew and his players one little bit - because they will simply go about their final four games of the season, and try to win them all.
That’s the best approach in this increasingly complex situation.
Comments welcome.
NUFC News 24/7
63 responses so far ↓
1 The Shola Show // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Howaaayyyyy theeeee tooon
2 Pardew's fist pump // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Weekends results:
Stoke 2 -2 Arsenal
Wigan 0 – 2 NUFC
Spurs 1 – 1 Blackburn
Chelsea 2 – 1 QPR
Walking in a Pardew wonderland!
3 kalon // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:36 PM
I think that this result is good for nufc as chelsea have 2 cup final distractions so they may not be up to it when nufc play them. Aswell a this they have ivanovic, terry, ramires and meireles out of the final aswell as some others i think. Howay the ladsss
4 RobAveries // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:41 PM
Wait, shouldn’t 4th still be good enough for CL even if Chelsea win the final? Look at the table, Everton qualified when Liverpool finished 5th and won it and there were 5 teams from England?! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%E2%80%9305_FA_Premier_League
5 Ben3arfa // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:47 PM
@Rob
they’ve changed the rules since liverpool won the champions league, coz they didnt want a repeat of that same situation
6 vibroguy // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:47 PM
@RobAveries they changed the rules after that season due to Liverpool being f*****g useless, ruining the party for everyone. Another reason to despise them
7 Toon! Toon! // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:49 PM
@4 Its all explained here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_clubs_in_European_football
8 matt11_25 // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:50 PM
@Rob
That’s what I’ve been thinkin this whole time…
@ben3arfa
Bloody typical
9 GeordieToon89 // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:52 PM
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/7699026/Amalfitano-staying-quiet
10 pbNcl // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:53 PM
For the first season ever, I don’t care who we sign cos I know they’ll be quality! What a situation!
I doubt chelsea’s ability to win champions league, they will try tho. They got us comin up, and a final to play. I think its too much for them and real or bayern will tear them a new one
11 ochytoon // Apr 24, 2012 at 11:53 PM
http://news.uk.msn.com/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=161186490
This article provides clarity on champions league qualification.
12 pbNcl // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Look at the very mess chelsea are causing. Its constant bother with them lot down there haha
13 howway geordies // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:02 AM
We’ll just have to finish 3rd!
14 gonufc (up and Hatem) // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:06 AM
Was pretty pleased for Chelsea- was a brilliant moment- and then I realised this….
15 pbNcl // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:10 AM
Its feckin tight bum time as the sayin goes. Feel a bit pressure now
16 Magpie_Man // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:16 AM
If anything, it could encourage us more to go and get 3rd
17 Minato // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:22 AM
Yeh sorry arsenal.. Gonna have to take your spot now too :p
18 Wor Shearer // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:24 AM
Worst article ever?
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/316406/
19 nickfish90 // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:25 AM
Alright guys, great night for English football but sadly not so great for NUFC. Here’s something that might make you laugh a bit though. As harsh as it was!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-look-on-your-face-when-Shreeves-says-youre-banned-from-the-CL-Final/290756901006392
20 GeordieToon89 // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:27 AM
Wor Shearer – Thats is the worst article ever yes haha.. stating the obvious and is only about 15 words long lmao
21 GeordieToon89 // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:29 AM
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11833/7700447/Guardiola-considering-future
22 mindshaft // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:33 AM
To be honest Chelsea were lucky tonight and barca were poor – reminded me a lot of arsenal – ass pass pass ass no end result, don’t think bayern or Madrid will be as accomadating
Don’t matter either way – if we finish 4th I’ll be a bit gutted if chelski nick our place but it’s so unlikely ……..
23 Tsunki // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:40 AM
mindshaft – wrong and right imo. Chelsea played well, strategically and defensively, this is the other part of the game from just scoring goals and looking wonderful.
But right in that Real or Bayern will not be so accommodating or indulgent and will undoubtedly break them because they know how. Barca have been lauded for their command of the game, but Chelsk have shown a tactic that exposes their weakness. Good for us to know since we will be facing them at some point soon.
24 Vask // Apr 25, 2012 at 12:42 AM
Jesus Christ Wor Shearer, that is definitely the worst article ever. I’m not surprised that it’s in the express
25 jimmyxavi // Apr 25, 2012 at 1:15 AM
The Toon will have to pay Stade de Reims around £500,000 for Amalfitano, who said: “The challenge of the Premier League has convinced me to accept Newcastle’s offer.
“I have spoken with Cabaye and Ben Arfa and it was impossible to reject the biggest opportunity of my sporting life.”
26 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 1:19 AM
jimmyxavi, have you just made that up or is that an actual quote?
27 Vask // Apr 25, 2012 at 1:26 AM
Observe the “‘s it must be true.
28 jimmyxavi // Apr 25, 2012 at 1:37 AM
Ben it’s a quote from the Daily Mirror!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4277149/Alan-Pardew-Give-us-more-tickets-you-could-do-with-the-money.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
29 Daley_Toon // Apr 25, 2012 at 1:38 AM
just made a video of most our goals from the season. hope you’s like it. cheers
30 Daley_Toon // Apr 25, 2012 at 1:39 AM
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150696336551641
31 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 1:41 AM
Ah nice one, I haven’t seen those quotes anywhere else so I wasn’t sure, everywhere else it just talks about reports that we’ve signed him and I’ve seen some quotes where he’s refused to comment except to say the usual about how he’s flattered to be linked to us and it’ll all be sorted in the summer.
Nice to know we’ve got a signing wrapped up already though, and while I’d usually not exactly be impressed by a free signing from Ligue 2, I fully trust Graham Carr’s judgement!
32 Novocastrian66 // Apr 25, 2012 at 2:10 AM
Best article ever?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2134554/Liam-Noble-launches-Twitter-attack-Sunderland.html
33 gonufc (up and Hatem) // Apr 25, 2012 at 2:18 AM
Wor Shearer (16) – Lol, that’s hilarious. There are so many Sun articles just like that. Just shows how little pride and ambition some tabloid journalists have; they just churn out anything to fill the pages.
And the worst bit is that some people actually think these stories are any more informed than any of us.
34 chris_g // Apr 25, 2012 at 2:20 AM
I don’t believe that article in the Sun. What was their source for the “quote” from Amalfitano? Nobody else has reported it so far.
Also, in the same article, there was a “quote” from Tiote who apparently insisted last night “I know there’s speculation but I can achieve what I want to here.” But that was a misquote, because it’s been widely reported that what he actually said was “I know I can achieve what I want to here. I don’t know about the speculation……”
Best thing to do is completely ignore everything reported by the Sun until it’s confirmed by the club.
35 gonufc (up and Hatem) // Apr 25, 2012 at 2:36 AM
Exactly, I cannot believe how shameless and cynical that paper is.
They don’t even pretend to be credible.
36 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 2:52 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2134152/Sunderland-considering-bid-Kevin-Davies.html
Hahaha the mackems are really getting desperate!
(Before anyone says it, no I don’t believe they’re actually in for him, it’s just funny comparing the quality of players we’re linked to, young international class, and those that they’re linked to, old past it donkeys)
37 nickfish90 // Apr 25, 2012 at 2:57 AM
Senegal have been drawn in Great Britains group for the Olympics.
38 Vask // Apr 25, 2012 at 3:03 AM
Shame Senegal don’t have the rest of the Newcastle team, they may stand a chance otherwise.
39 nickfish90 // Apr 25, 2012 at 3:06 AM
We might do by this time next year. If the two Dembas are anything to go by
40 nickfish90 // Apr 25, 2012 at 3:07 AM
Oops, kind of misread your post.
41 Vask // Apr 25, 2012 at 3:16 AM
Ah it’s in between late and early. I’ll forgive you. What’s your stance on signing Africans in the summer? Reckon there’s any point, if we’ll lose them again in January?
42 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 3:36 AM
I’d rather we didn’t sign Africans, personally. We’ll already be losing both our top strikers and one of our first-choice central midfielders and to lose any more could really harm our chances at a crucial point of the season. It’s annoying about the Olympics too, we’ll be missing Ba and Cisse at the start of the season, probably for the first 2 or 3 games, and then possibly more if any of our other players get called up (although I’m not sure who would).
It’s a shame, cause there’s some great African players out there, but I’d really prefer not to lose a third (or more) of our starting XI for a few matches.
43 Vask // Apr 25, 2012 at 3:57 AM
I’m in total agreement with you there, I love the boys we’ve got but they will certainly be missed in January. We deffo need another EU or South American striker in the summer, either that or a fantastic LAM to provide Besty with unmissable chances. Having said that Ranager still might come good, stranger things have happened. If anyone can get the best out of Nile it’s wor Pards.
44 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 4:05 AM
Ha I was thinking that the other day actually, that Ranger would hopefully sort himself out and be able to provide backup during the ACoN.
But yeah I’ve been talking up Hoilett as an ideal signing for us and that’s partly why, even with Ba and Cisse away, with Hoilett and HBA on the wings we’d still be a threat to anyone, even if we were having to make do with Shola or Best up front
45 Vask // Apr 25, 2012 at 4:14 AM
I like Shola, probly one of me favorite players but I just don’t think he’d be able to nab the goals we need during Acon. His hold up play is immense so I suppose if he held it up then fed HBA and Marveux (if he can keep his fitness) it could work. There are serious doubts about Shola’s ability to last more than 20mins though. Besty could nearly do the job pending fitness issues. I reckon Nile could be the boy for the job, he’s got pace at least just needs to mature.
I’m not sure about signing Hoilett, I’m sure he’s class and all that I just have my doubts. Whoever we sign will be the right man for the job, whether he be LAM or CF.
46 Kc-Toon // Apr 25, 2012 at 4:14 AM
Ben-BKK
Im not sure wether both demba’s will be included in the squad, theres a limit of 3 players over the age of 23 i think it is, and i cant see the manager choosing two strikers, well you never know, heres hoping not
47 Vask // Apr 25, 2012 at 4:20 AM
That’s good to know Kc. We shouldn’t lose too many of our players, certainly none of the english ones bar mebbies one of the taylors, hopefully only Ryan, if that rumour was true. Do you know the rules about clubs refusing to release players?
48 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 4:22 AM
I don’t know if we will sign Hoilett, I just think he’d be a great signing for us. Can play all across the front as a winger on either side or a withdrawn striker, and he’s similar to Ben Arfa in his ability to beat a man and play in good ball. He’s looked class every time I’ve seen him and has really stood out in a poor Blackburn team. While some may point to N’Zogbia as an example of why you should be wary of players standing out in poor teams, he’s playing in what is now a pretty poor Villa team for a manager who plays awful defensive football. I reckon Hoilett could flourish playing in Pardew’s attacking 4-3-3 formation.
@ Kc-Toon
I hope he doesn’t include them both, but what they’ve said seems to indicate that they will.
49 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 4:24 AM
Vask – clubs aren’t allowed to stop players going to play in the Olympics. It was decided during the last games when Barca didn’t want Messi to go and it was looked into (by FIFA presumably, or whoever else would look into such matters) and while Barca eventually let him go anyway, it was decided that clubs weren’t allowed to stop players that had been called up from playing in the games.
50 Ben_BKK // Apr 25, 2012 at 4:26 AM
And yes, the limit is three over-23s for the Olympics squad, and while I don’t exactly know the ins and outs of the Senegal national side, I can’t think of loads more overage players for them to call upon.
51 NEWEXPATMAGPIE // Apr 25, 2012 at 5:52 AM
Don,t believe anything printed in the Press!
According to them earlier this season we were going to be in a relegation battle!
The business of selling Newspapers does,nt neccessarily mean that the truth gets printed! A lot of what gets printed is just pure bullshit !
If we just keep taking one game at a time and keep winning, then lets wait and see where we end up!
I,me more than satisfied with this season already! We just need to put the “icing on the cake”! So to speak!
52 cyprus // Apr 25, 2012 at 7:15 AM
Thanks for video Daley @28. Ba should watch that to lift his spirits. You missed that Jonas cracker! Please compile one with the other 10 goals we’ll score in our remaining games, and the music is unnecessary, let the commentators and the players do the talking. Cheers.
BTW, hope we don’t need third for CL, that would be so cruel…
53 Indian Magpie // Apr 25, 2012 at 7:52 AM
Joe Cole has now learnt French, is he eligible to play in black and white.
54 redondo77 // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:09 AM
we are eligible to play in Ligue 1
55 LewSpi // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:10 AM
Why are we ‘not allowed’ to believe this article regarding Amalfitano?
I was under the impression that a journo could write a story in any way he wants, but when it comes to quotes he can not change the words whatsoever. I know they can pick and chose words to make it seem like it’s been said in a different context, but they can’t change them?!
Please, correct me if I’m wrong.
56 Tsunki // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Indian –
Forget chelski, well done, but CL is down to us now, not the ‘lack of performance by other teams’.
57 Tsunki // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:14 AM
Lewspi – really? I think the only journo rules are don’t get sued and don’t get caught.
58 Indian Magpie // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:18 AM
chelsea will not win the UCL, MARK MY WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
59 Indian Magpie // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:20 AM
the year liverfool won UCL and Everton finished 4th, i know liv had more games but i would have had their games than a 2 legged tie against villareal
60 keeleytoon // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:32 AM
Seen a few people from holland saying pieters is over ratted…. What you guys think? Also just seen that Eden hazard will only move to an English team which will be in champs league…. How much would he cost ? And would you guys have him in your team
61 LGFUAD21 // Apr 25, 2012 at 8:45 AM
Epic when Torres scored. I even considered outting a bet on as soon as he came on. Just had a feeling he’d do something special tonight.
2 ways to look at that game.
Wouldnt begrudge Barcelona for feeling robbed. The were the better team throughout and Chelsea had a very negative and unsporting attitude throughout the game.
On the other hand, The way Chelsea parked the bus completely and held it together and tight, while negative, and unsporting by “Fair play” standards, proved a great tactic.
They were lucky that one of their many uncalculated hoof balls up the field fell to Torres who executed what he had to perfectly.
Barcelona were in a bit of a catch 22. They needed another goal, that they were trying so hard to get and were just unlucky that they couldnt break down Chelsea’s brick wall 9-10 man defense. So they committed all but one player to get the goal they needed. Unfortunately for them Torres was able to overcome that defender.
Probably one of the most important goals for Torres ever.
Can’t see them winning the CL but hell they will try which is good for us. Their squad will be knackered.
Also cant help but feel Barcelona would have had a better chance of scoring had they taken shots from outside of the box. They probably have the quality to ‘pull a Cabaye’. They were perhaps too insistant in getting the ball in the box and scoring from there. Which is never gonna be easy when there are 8 defenders and a keeper in there.
Chelsea were not trying to do anything when they got the ball back. Just hoofing it away and restructuring. Barcelona would have had more chances had they taken more hopeful pots than they did under their patient but timely approach to the Chelsea goal.
62 Matt // Apr 25, 2012 at 9:53 AM
its a joke to be honest top 4 should be in champs league anyway and if chelsea won it as a reward for english football they should be given an extra place in the comp after all they would have right to defend it and teams finishing in top 4 have right to be in champs league ,same old corrupt biased english hating fifa any other league and they would amend the rules ,what would the senario be if chelsea got relegated i know it wouldnt happen but would they still be allowed in it then ? fifa = jokers
63 ShanghaiMag // Apr 25, 2012 at 10:19 AM
@Matt.
I agree, UEFA should also give a place in the group stages to the winners of the Europa League, it would make more teams take the Europa League seriously.
I don’t see why Chelsea should take 4th’s place, the premier league is given 4 places, so should be determined on PL alone. UEFA basically ask for a place back, ridiculous. What is so wrong with a country (would happen twice in last decade) having 5 teams instead of 4?
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