Newcastle went ahead in this game after 23 minutes, with a good goal by Sylvain Marveaux, who was nicely set up by Ben Arfa – but in the second half Newcastle ceded possession to Maritimo, who had only 2 points (one off Newcastle) and were bottom of Group D coming into this game, and yet Newcastle struggled to hold onto their lead in the second half and finally gave way on 79 minutes when Maritimo equalized.
Goalscorer Marveaux in action tonight against Maritimo
Maritimo took the opportunity to come at Newcastle in the second half, until they equalized, and then after that goal, Maritimo had a great chance to win the game in added time – but Fidelis missed an open goal, as he hit the ball wide with two minutes of added time played.
This was a mediocre performance at best from a struggling Newcastle side and a poor result, and will do nothing to lift the gloom that’s settling on Tyneside.
This is how we saw the game.
Newcastle came out in their famous black and white stripes, so at least for this game they ditched the light lime green strips they had been wearing in Europe this week. And after 23 minutes Newcastle went ahead with a beautifully worked goal.
Ben Arfa picked up the loose ball in the center the field just inside the opposing half, and the Frenchman played a beautiful through ball to Sylvain Marveaux on the right wing, and Sylvain beat his man beautifully, and then slotted the ball coolly between the goalkeeper’s legs, for his first ever goal for Newcastle United – a goal made in France.
On 38 minutes Papiss Cisse had the ball in the back of the net but the linesman flagged for offside, and the TV replays showed it was very close and he was probably level and onside – it should have been 2-0.
And then after a few more minutes Ben Arfa seemed to pick up an injury and he was replaced by Demba Ba.
The score at the half was 1-0 with Newcastle just about getting the job done is the first half.
After 50 minutes Papiss Cisse was replaced by Romain Amalfitano, and it looked like Papiss was limping as he walked of the field, so it could be we have two injuries coming out of this game.
On 54 minutes Tim Krul made a good save to keep the clean sheet, as he tipped the ball over the bar.
Newcastle were laying off Maritimo and every 50-50 ball was won by Maritimo, and this was a dangerous game Newcastle were playing – trying to hold the Portuguese side rather than keep going forward.
Then a well worked Newcastle move from a Marveaux free kick had Sammy Ameobi hit the ball just wide after 69 minutes, and then after 73 minutes Ruben Ferreira hit a good shot following a corner, and Tim Krul did well to turn the ball around the post for a corner.
On 76 minutes Sammy Ameobi was replaced by Mehdi Abeid, for his first appearance for Newcastle this season.
Then on 79 minutes Maritimo equalized, and Fidelis was free with loads of room down the left wing and his shot went between Tim Kruls’ legs – and it was a bad goal for Newcastle to concede.
But you couldn’t say it wasn’t coming – the way Newcastle were simply trying to contain Maritimo in the second half rather than moving forward.
Maritimo continued to take the game to Newcastle, and two minutes into injury time Fidelis missed a wonderful opportunity to win the game for the visiting side, when he hit his shot just wide – with the whole goal to aim at.
And that could have been Newcastle third home defeat in a row – we were lucky not to lose the game tonight, and didn’t deserve to win it, with the negative tactics of the second half..
The final whistle went with boos from the home fans – and we didn’t deserve the win because we back-pedaled in the second half all the time, and gave up the momentum to Maritimo, who remain bottom of the group.
And Bordeaux beat Club Brugge 2-1 in Belgium tonight and go top of Group D with 10 points, with Newcastle second on 9 points, and it seems Newcastle have qualified to finish at least second in the group, and therefore qualify for the knock-out rounds.
If you don’t go out to win the game – you can expect teams to come back at you – just like Maritimo did tonight.
A mediocre performance and another poor result tonight from an out of touch Newcastle side, and Papiss Cisse and Ben Arfa both went off injured during this game.
We had better be an awful lot better on Sunday if we are to pick up anything at St. Mary’s against Southampton – who are second bottom of the league.
Tonight’s not what we wanted to see from Newcastle in what was a dismal second half display.
Teams:
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Gael Bigirimana, Vurnon Anita; Sammy Ameobi (Mehdi Abeid 76), Hatem Ben Arfa (Demba Ba 40), Sylvain Marveaux; Papiss Cisse (Romain Amalfitano 50)
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, James Tavernier, Shane Ferguson, Mike Williamson
Maritimo (4-3-3): Romain Salin; Joao Diogo, Valentin Roberge, Marcio Rosario, Ruben Ferreira; Joao Luiz, Rafael Miranda (c), David Simao (Ruben Brigido 73); Danilo Dias, Adilson (Fidelis 59), Sami
Subs not used: Ricardo, Luis Olim, Briguel, Rodrigo Antonio, Joao Guilherme
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Holland)
Bookings: Newcastle – none; Maritimo – none
Comments welcome.
45 comments so far
Graeme
Nov 22, 2012 at 10:33 PM
Comment #41With eleven players now out injured, it could well get worse before it gets better.
Now that’s a heart-warming thought!! But, I’ve seen worse, we can & will get better; Just have to hope its sooner, rather than later though!!
geordie_upon_tyne
Nov 22, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Comment #42dont wanna give you lads nightmares but the last time i said we would go down , we atcually did đ
nezzatoonmad
Nov 22, 2012 at 10:41 PM
Comment #43my prediction for Sunday Newcastle 0 Southampton 3
gringo burt
Nov 22, 2012 at 10:47 PM
Comment #44awful simple as that,passing was a joke,could not keep the ball,then when we did get the ball players kept it to long and got tackled or just kicked it somewhere up the pitch in the slight chance it might get lucky and find a front man.getting through to the knockout round is just papering over the cracks.weve just lost ben arfa,no cabaye a dread the trip to st marys
Premiership Manager
Nov 22, 2012 at 11:06 PM
Comment #45I was very dissapointed as the European games have been much more entertaining than the PL games and what started as a season full of anticipation has now become one of resignation that we will be lucky to achieve a place in the top 10 of the EPL.
I have no problems with the back 4, however the midfield and forward play has been very poor with players losing the ball putting the defence under severe pressure. The fact that we cannot get the basics right of passing and retaining possesion is very worrying indeed.
Some of our best games last year came with HBA on the bench. There wasa very good reason for this and that was that the midfied was balanced. It didn’t matter if Tiote or Cabaye was out as we had Guthrie to fill in for them and it’s this balance that is missing this year.
Jonas played a very defensive role last year covering for Santon, swapping and changing positions and it was the same if we had Raylor and Simpson on the other side.
When Cisse arrived we were on fire and player confidence was high and this has a major effect on how the players react and we were able to accomodate HBA and when it went right it was a joy to behold but whenit was wrong it was woefully wrong.
Playing teams like MU, MC, Arsenal, Chelsea and liverpool we cannot afford the luxury of carrying too many attacking players and to play 3 upfront like we have is suicide. tactically as much as I like Pardue he keeps on getting it wrong. There is nothing wrong with 5-5-1 when playing better teams and controlling the midfield is key.
Anita, Mavaux, Obertan and even Sami Ameobi are not yet up to mark for the EPL and even in Europe should be playing alongside more experienced players.
Amazingly Ferguson who adds defensive and attacking ability to the team was left on the bench. His crossing ability and ability to swap and change with Santon could have had made all the difference tonight but for some reason he sat the game out.
We seem to be good at letting the wrong players go, Guthrie and Routledge were far better players than any we have signed in the last windows and addeded depth and quality to the side. Anita will improve but 8M was far too much to pay for somebody unproven in the EPL and if he went tomorrow we’d be lucky to get 3M for him.
I’ve no idea what will happen in the next window but we need a forward and some established palyers who can run the lines, track back, tackle and cross the ball.
In addition i wouldn’t be surprised to see us loose up to 3 players in the next window because if there is no improvement in performance running up to Christmas, Cabaye, Tiote, HBA and Ba will all be looking at their options