The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that fortune was on Newcastle’s side last night in our 3-0 win against Wigan – and that was Newcastle biggest league win of the season, but it was against a 10 man Wigan side for much of the game.
John Carver and Alan Pardew huddle last night
After 13 minutes Demba Ba was fouled in the penalty area, as he was about to shoot at goal, and it was Honduran Maynor Figueroa who committed the foul, and the referee gave a penalty and a straight red card to Figueroa.
Demba Ba converted the resultant penalty in great style, and then got a second after 21 minutes, before Gael Bigirimana – on as a second half substitute for Cheick Tiote – sealed the win with a terrific left foot shot from the edge of the penalty area – his first ever goal for the Magpies.
It was a decent performance from the lads, but it was a fantastic and much needed win.
This is what Alan told Sky Sports News after the game:
“It’s been difficult for the players and staff,”We’ve had so many knocks with injuries – game after game – and it was nice to get a break and it was a break.”
“We’ve had to work very hard for that win. It’s been four defeats in a major football city and that puts a lot of pressure on us.”
Even when Newcastle were 2-0 up for the first 20 minutes of the second half, the lads still looked a little hesitant as Wigan came at them, but the goal from Gael Bigirimana came as a welcome relief – and it was a great three points in front of a disappointing crowd of only 43,858.
Sylvian Marveaux was excellent for Newcastle last night, and leads our Man of the Match poll with 39 % of the votes, and Vurnon Anita was again impressive in central midfield and is in second place with 31% of the vote.
It was a great win for Newcastle and should give the players a lot more confidence when we next play in the league – at Fulham next Monday night – and of course we have our last game in group D at Bordeaux on Thursday night – but surely the manager will play a second eleven in that game to rest our top players for the Premier League.
Here’s a chance to vote if you haven’t already done so.
Comments welcome.
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2 comments so far
manxpie
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:40 AM
Comment #1wll jail thats all what if? i’m talkin about what happend on the pitch and our performance tonight was far better than in recent games we were bound to be nervous and i thought we started well and that was there 1 and only shot on target but reading some of the comments on hear the second half our goal was peppered from the 45th minute to the 90th minute!
we played much much better tonjght and for me thats what i was looking for and now on to the next game with hopefully more confidence
Charlietoon
Dec 4, 2012 at 12:44 AM
Comment #2Marveaux for sure.
Question!
I might be travelling in the UK on Sat 12th of Jan when we travel to Norwich.
What are the odds that a tourist could get two tickets in the visitors section. Is the place to get them through the nufc website?
Any help would be appreciated.