Newcastle came away from Goodison Park with a well earned 2-2 draw tonight, after they improved their game in the second half significantly, after looking abysmal in the first half and going down 1-0 at the half.
Everton had gone ahead after just 15 minutes when Fellaini scored an easy goal, and it looked a matter of how many Everton would score in the game.
But then Newcastle got a great opportunist goal in the second half from Demba Ba, who had come on for the ineffective Marveaux at half time, and the Senegal striker was brilliantly put through by Yohan Cabaye with a defense splitting pass form the French International.
Newcastle were in this game until the end, but Anibeche seemed to have won it with a goal in the 88th minute, but then would you believe it -Demba Ba did it again and put the ball home within a couple of minutes, after Shola Ameobi had headed the ball onto him, and Newcastle had got a very good 2-2 draw, after looking almost dead and buried in that first half, when we were just hanging on.
Everton had all the early possession and after 15 minutes the almost inevitable happened when Everton went ahead and it was Leighton Baines who was given far too much room on the left and he did a quick one two with Pienaar and he then smashed the ball wide of Harper and into the goal. Newcastle gave Baines far too much room.
The half time whistle blew and Newcastle were definitely second best in that first half, but at least we were coming into the game – but Newcastle will get a rocket in the dressing room and they deserve it.
Demba Ba came on at half time for Marveaux and Newcastle switched Vurnon Anita to right back and James Perch to central midfield.
And after a couple of minutes Anita showed what a class right back he is, as he blocked an attempted cross from Leighton Baines.
And then would you believe it but Yohan Cabaye supplied a fantastic defense splitting pass for Demba Ba to run onto in the inside left channel, and Ba put the ball home just inside Tim Howard’s left hand post – a wonderful opportunist goal from the Senegal striker.
Newcastle were all square after being outclassed in that first half, and the Geordie fans made themselves heard, and then after 62 minutes it was James Perch who put a nice lofted ball into the box that found Cisse unmarked about 10 yards out, but as he turned he lofted the ball over the bar – Papiss should have done a lot better with that – and it was a good chance lost.
Newcastle had a huge let-off after 79 minutes when Anichebe seemed to have scored with a header, but somehow it seemed that Steve Harper had kept the ball out.
But on looking at the TV replays the ball was over the line and it should have been a goal – another embarrassing call by the officials – where’s that goal line technology to sort this stuff out?
The second half was end to end with Newcastle continuing to come more into the game until the late goal drama – but Newcastle looked a completely different side in that second half and deserved the point.
And it was Demba Ba’s goal-scoring prowess that got Newcastle two goals tonight and a point when at times during this game Everton looked so much the better side.
And even when Newcastle look a well beaten side when you have a player like Ba (and Cisse) who can score at any time Newcastle will always be in these games.
It’s just what Newcastle needed – and a win against Norwich on Sunday should see us climb that league table.
Everton (4-4-1-1): Tim Howard; Tony Hibbert, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines; Kevin Mirallas (Steven Naismith 83), Leon Osman, Phil Neville (c), Steven Pienaar; Marouane Fellaini; Nikica Jelavic (Victor Anichebe 44)
Subs not used: Jan Mucha, John Heitinga, Shane Duffy, Seamus Coleman, Magaye Gueye
Newcastle United (4-5-1): Steve Harper; James Perch, Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor, Davide Santon; Vurnon Anita, Jonas Gutierrez (c), Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye (Gael Bigirimana 90), Sylvain Marveaux (Demba Ba 46); Papiss Cisse (Shola Ameobi 79)
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Comments welcome.
71 comments so far
BelfastMagpie
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Comment #41He was stripped off and ready to come on.
If he refused to come on,why did he strip off?
bills-son
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Comment #42Ba saying he’s not happy I bet is about being subbed and dropped when he has clearly been playing better than Cisse this season. I was amazed he was dropped not Cisse. Ba often looks moody and he doesn’t like playing in a 433 thats for sure.
I see Pards has just said Oba has been great in training, he obviously had the hump about not getting selected if its true he refused to come on. If that is true he wants hammered.
Pards is going to have manage second season syndrome with the new players, the ego’s will have kicked in after the 5th finish. Pards should take some advice from his mate Fergie.
Ketsbaia9
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Comment #43Cabaye played well for 5 minutes today. He doesn’t seem to be consistent enough. He definitely needs to up his game. We need to see more performances like the Aston Villa away game last season.
My team to play Norwich would be:
Harper
Anita Perch Saylor Santon
Ben Arfa Cabaye Marveaux Gutierrez
Cisse Ba
Subs:
Elliott
Abeid
Good
Obertan
Xisco
Vuckic
Amalfitano
Shola Ameobi
Adam Campbell
Spreadthetoon
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Comment #44Remember we are missing Krul, Tiote and Collo – our most defensive and best equipped players in their positions. Getting a point out of this game is massive. Good to hear AP acknowledge that the 1st half was the worst he’d seen since he’s been in charge. AP – btw when you play 4-5-1 pls do NOT play two defensive midfielders UNLESS you have Tiote and Anita and its against one of the top 4. Lets not sell ourselves short against teams like everton where we are able to get all 3 points!
Jamesthefirst
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:28 PM
Comment #45Like Pardew said, systems and tactics come second to passion and desire.
FatmanJoe
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Comment #46Williamson ‘hoofed’ the ball three times tonight. And one resulted in a goal. With those kind of results he can continue to do that.
By the way. Chasing a game with only a few
Mins to spare and two big lads up front shouting for it – he doesn’t have an option I’m afraid. Good performance for me like.
And how did he cost us 3 points? 1. He wasn’t as fault for either goal and 2. You can only get a maximum of 3 points in a game and we got 1. So I think you mean he cost us 2.
You’re a very cranky individual and I’ll stick by my comment from earlier. You don’t know joy.
nico
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Comment #47Ketsbaia9
It was Williamson’s ball that set up our equalizer. Willo had a good game competing well in the air.
newcben
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Comment #48Not slagging off HBA as I think he is pure class! Himself and Ba are our top 2 attacking players I say it again and again Ba has an all round better game than Cisse. HBA needs to make that darting run in behind when a ball goes over the top or Jonas when Ba is up top on his own.
Perch is such a brilliant squad player, proving a lot of people wrong. Proving me wrong anyway!
nico
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:31 PM
Comment #49Ba played like a propa target man tonight, putting himself about. If he plays like that it will work with Cisse. Problem is, thats the first time he’s donbe it this season. He was class though as was Cabaye in the second half. Finally I think our players are getting into the season. Norwich could be in for a bad time on Sunday.
Jamesthefirst
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:33 PM
Comment #50Man Utd couldn’t come back against Everton. We did it twice and without our three best defensive players.
Massive massive game for our season.
abbo
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Comment #51Ketsbaia9
All i can say is 1 word, 2 syllables, starts with D & ends with D………….Dickhead!!!!
abbo
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Comment #52Ketsbaia9
All i can say is 1 word, 2 syllables, starts with D & ends with D………….D*#khead!!!!
Jamesthefirst
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Comment #53Be interesting to see if Shola starts alongside BA against Norwich. They did against Man Utd last season and terrorised them.
abbo
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Comment #54Ketsbaia9
All i can say is 1 word, 2 syllables, starts with D & ends with D………….D***head!!!!
Ketsbaia9
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Comment #553? More like 33 long-balls. 1 was a decent ball to Cisse that he failed to control in the first half. Williamson was poor in the air. He miss-timed a header in the first half which nearly led to an Everton goal.
Gary Neville also highlighted Williamson as the main culprit for their first goal. We’re never going to beat a top 10 team with Williamson in the side. His positional sense for a centre back is just pathetic.
I thought Saylor has a good game today, as did Santon and Steve Harper.
abbo
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:36 PM
Comment #56Ketsbaia9
All i can say is 1 word, 2 syllables, starts with D & ends with D……….& the second syllable is head!!!!!
abbo
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Comment #57Ketsbaia9
All i can say is 1 word, 2 syllables, starts with D & ends with D & the second syllable is head!!!!!
cyprus
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Comment #58Disagree, we did deserve it, given our second half performance! The two goals that didn’t count could have been missed by any ref, and he did pull HBA back from a certain goal. Btw, our worst player in the first half hasnt been mentioned but lets give him a chance:)
abbo
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Comment #59Kets9
All i can say is 1 word, 2 syllables, starts with D & ends with D & the second syllable is head!!!!!
Ketsbaia9
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Comment #60How can you say the our best 11 has Simpson in it? He is the worst right-back in the league. Players like Emerson Boyce just make him look stupid. I’d even have Richard Stearman in the team ahead of Simpson.
nico
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:40 PM
Comment #61Ketsbaia9
We beat a number of top 10 teams last season with Willo playing. Yes I know he’s not as good as Collo but he’s not a bad player. At least we don’t have Bramble playing
FatmanJoe
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Comment #62Williamson could do nothing once baines had skipped past perch and guti so you’re wrong there. Just a football knowledge for you so you don’t keep getting confused bless – it’s not the centre backs job to keep the lb out the box. That goes down to the rb. Williamson can’t Mark his actual player then run across to stop a player bounding forward who has already owned perch and guti.
And Taylor gave too much space to anichebe and harps was slow for the first.
And it wasn’t 33.
So there.
Ketsbaia9
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Comment #63Williamson should have came across quicker. It was his fault. He was out of position and left a big gap for Baines to shoot. Gary Neville confirmed it and he’s one of the best pundits around.
I disagree, Williamson seems a nice bloke, but he just isn’t good enough for the premiership nor the championship, league one and league two.
Perch at centre back for the next game.
nico
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:52 PM
Comment #64Ketsbaia9
I think some of your points on here are quite valid but you constantly make yourself sound stupid by overelaborating them e.g. Willo not good enough to play in the football league. That is a daft comment as he played 25plus games last season for a team finishing 5th.
FatmanJoe
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:53 PM
Comment #65There’s no talking sense to you. Which is why the whole blog is now openly throwing insults at you instead. Trouble is, I think you actually enjoy it.
Hmm Gary neville defending a rb error. Seems odd.
Perch was crap until moved into a more forward position. Baines was murdering him in the first half. Could see the goal coming as everton kept just pushing down their left flank and only a matter of time for baines to cut inside and drive it in.
nico
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Comment #66Yes Gary Neville did say that but I also think Gutti or Marvo should have tracked Baines’s run better. So 3 players got in wrong. That’s why goals are scored.
FatmanJoe
Sep 17, 2012 at 11:03 PM
Comment #67Nico if Williamson moved in to baines – who never should have been allowed into the box anyway – and baines dinked it across to one of their boys waiting in the box then kets would have blamed him for leaving a man unmarked in the box.
I might have agreed with him then.
Trouble is once the attacking winger/ lb has
Been allowed that run the cb can literally do next to nothing right. They need protection from the players around them. I defend guti most weeks but really playing in a dm role knowing that perch isn’t used to rb he really should have been covering that.
But you can’t put a goal of that class down to individual error. It was just a class goal.
And with that I’m off.
89Norcal
Sep 17, 2012 at 11:09 PM
Comment #68Agree with Fatman, it was a great finish to be honest. Our whole back line got caught out on that goal and the throw in before it.
This was a game more suited for Ba’s dexterity. Everton were all over our players for the first half and put on ample pressure in the 2nd. But of course Shola bossed them around and linked up with Ba.
Cisse is more suited to open play with his pace and finishing quality. I don’t think he would have hooked that 2nd goal like Ba did.
futurefanbaseofNUFC
Sep 17, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Comment #69Ketsbaia if you actually look at the statistics from last season you will realize that Danny Simpson is one of the leagues best. surprising or not. I believe he was top 6.
Ketsbaia9
Sep 18, 2012 at 12:29 AM
Comment #70Stats mean nothing. People can visibly see that he’s not good enough for this league. It was Williamson’s fault so stop trying to defend him. If he wasn’t playing last season, we would’ve finished 3rd/4th.
FatmanJoe
Sep 18, 2012 at 6:43 AM
Comment #71It was clearly not his fault so stop attacking him. If he didn’t play last season I doubt we would have got into the top 8.